William D. “Bill” George II, 82, of Schnecksville, died April 24, 2017, surrounded by his loving wife and family in his home.

He and his wife, Shirley A. (DeLong) Harring George, were married 36 years last Aug. 23.

Born July 8, 1934, in Neffs, he was the son of the late Allen M.M. and Ethel M. (Schneck) George.

He was a 1952 graduate of Parkland High School and a 1956 graduate of Lehigh University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.

While at Lehigh, he convinced his grandfather to incorporate the Ironton Rural Telephone Lines, which he had bought in 1927.

This emerged into what is now known as the Ironton Telephone Co., of which he served as president and CEO since 1998.

He was also the former president of the former Parkland Cable Co., Ironton, from 1965-72 and former president of the former Keystone Cable TV, Kutztown, from 1970-96.

In 1996, he partnered with Service Electric Cable TV to form Service Electric Telephone, where he served as president.

This partnership provided telephone service using existing TV cables in Eastern Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey.

His visionary leadership in the company has literally brought this “Mom and Pop” telephone operation to the forefront of the telecommunications industry.

Active in the life of his community, he was a member of the Upper Lehigh Lions Club since 1959, serving as president from 1984-85.

He also served as the bulletin editor and historian of the club for many years.

In 2004, the club presented him the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for his dedicated humanitarian services from the Lions Club International Foundation.

He served on the North Whitehall Planning Commission since 1975 and was chairman from 1975-2003.

He was a co-founder of the Upper Lehigh Historical Society, co-founder of the Parkland Area Jaycees in 1966, was a life member of Community Fire Co. No. 1, Schnecksville, and the Neffs Volunteer Fire Co. In 2012, he was inducted into the Parkland Distinguished Alumni Wall of Honor by the Parkland School District Education Foundation.

One of his many passions in life was racing, including drag racing, for which he sponsored many races and drivers, including the Keystone Quarter Midgets and the inaugural indoor race at the PPL Center, Allentown.

He was a member of Union United Church of Christ, Neffs.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by sons Timothy C. Harring (Christine) of Conway, S.C., Michael C. Harring of Slatington, Ricky T. Harring of Schnecksville; brother Allen M.M. George Jr. of Coplay; sisters Dorothy A. George of Coplay, Patricia L. Stewart (Richard) of Coplay, Rose Marie Beck of Schnecksville, Nancy J. Werner (Alfred) of East Greenville, Roberta F. George (Kevin Brey) of Red Hill, Sonia E. Fink (David) of Germansville, Carolyn M. George of Schnecksville; grandchildren Andrea L. Kushnir (Daniel) of Orefield, Victoria L. Harring and Jessica L. Kresge, both of Slatington; great-grandson Cole Michael Kresge; and many nieces and nephews.

His funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. April 29 at Union United Church of Christ, 5550 Route 873, Neffs, with the Rev. Kris P. Snyder-Samuelson and the Rev. Dr. Patience D. Stevenson officiating.

Family and friends may pay their respects 2-8 p.m. April 28 in Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville.

Interment will follow the service at Union Church Cemetery, Neffs.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and/or to the Upper Lehigh Lions Club Fund of H.O.P.E. all c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.