William R. Cooper II, 90, lawyer in Montco

William Ridge Cooper II, 90, of Montgomeryville, a lawyer in Montgomery County for 60 years, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, of cancer at his home.

A graduate of Lansdale High School, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and the Dickinson School of Law, Mr. Cooper practiced law for 60 years with the firm of Cooper & Greenleaf on North Broad Street in Lansdale.

His wife, Marcia Allen Cooper, said he kept working through August. Over the years, he helped people by doing pro bono work, his wife said.

He was Montgomery Township solicitor for 27 years and was a member of the American, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery County Bar Associations.

Born in Abington, he was a son of Lloyd and Helen Custer Cooper.

During World War II, Mr. Cooper was inducted into the Army on Feb. 22, 1943, and served in northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and central Europe.

He was awarded the Service Medal for the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater with four bronze stars, and discharged with the rank of corporal on Jan. 9, 1946.

He was a third-generation member of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Doylestown and a Worthy Prince of the Valley of Allentown Consistory.

He was an active member of the Lansdale Kiwanis Club, the Bucks County Ski Club, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Ski Club.

"He skied 30 days a year," his wife said, and was on the slopes as recently as May.

In addition to his wife of 34 years, he is survived by daughters Helen Maurene and Harley Elisabeth; a brother; 10 nieces and nephews; and 22 great-nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers; a niece; and a great-nephew.

A short visitation will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Pleasantville United Church of Christ, 3424 Limekiln Pike, Chalfont, Pa. 18914, where he was a lifelong member. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Entombment is in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to Dickinson School of Law, Lewis Katz Building, University Park, Pa. 16802, or the church at the address above.