William J. McCarthy; Book Merchant

William J. McCarthy, 61, a book merchant for 36 years who became president and chief executive of the Kroch’s & Brentano’s bookstore chain. McCarthy joined Kroch’s in 1952 when he answered an advertisement for a salesman’s job. Over the years, he rose through the management ranks. In 1986, he became the bookstore chain’s third president and chief executive officer. He succeeded Adolph Kroch, who founded the store in 1907, and Kroch’s son, Carl. In Chicago on Tuesday of undisclosed causes.