John W. Wydro, 97, an administrator with the Public Health Service who retired in 1971, died Feb. 24 of pneumonia at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington. He was a Bethesda resident.

The death was confirmed by his son Bill Wydro.

Mr. Wydro began working for the Public Health Service in Louisiana shortly before the U.S. entry into World War II. After serving in the Army and then the Navy during the war, he rejoined the Public Health Service and worked in Washington.

His work included promoting health-information programs for the Bureau of State Services. These efforts included the establishment of poison control centers and blood-screening programs for diabetes and promoting the use of seat belts in automobiles.

During his last five years in the Public Health Service, he was assigned to the Division of Indian Health. He helped open health centers in Arizona, South Dakota, New Mexico and Alaska.

John William Wydro was born in Huntington, Ind. As a young man, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.