William Risque Harper

William Risque Harper, who served on the Federal Trade Commission and had a law practice in Washington, D.C., died in Ladysmith Dec. 6, 2012. He was 81.

Mr. Harper was born in Woodford County, Kentucky but moved to Washington at age 13 and became a page in the U.S. Senate. He graduated from the Senate Page School, George Washington University, and the university’s law school.

He began his legal career clerking in the District of Columbia court system and later served on the FTC. In later life he opened a law practice in the District of Columbia.

Mr. Harper is survived by his wife of 29 years, Barbara; sons, William (Knowles) of Sewanee, Tenn., Steven (Laura) of North Potomac, Md., and John (Janan) of Seal Beach, Calif.; stepsons, Andrew Freeman (Elizabeth) of Boulder, Col. and Peter Freeman of Austin, Tex.; cousins, Alec Harper of Santa Monica, Calif. and Lee Warley Harper of Versailles, Ky.; grandchildren, Will, Jake, Joe, Sarah, Susan, Grey, Fionna and Jessie.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Dec. 15 at Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Ladysmith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 193, Ladysmith, Va., 22501.

An online register book is available at www.storkefuneralhome.com.