William M. Cowley III; Created Notable 1950s TV Series

William M. Cowley III, 77, who helped write and create memorable early television shows. With his collaborator, Peggy Chantler-Dick, Cowley created and often wrote such 1950s series as “Dennis the Menace,” “The Donna Reed Show,” “My Favorite Husband” and “The Bob Cummings Show.” Cowley created the “Hazel” series and supervised scripts throughout its four-year run. He also wrote an episode of “The Danny Thomas Show” that won a Cannes Film Festival award as the best television comedy of 1958. Among Cowley’s later credits were “Leave It to Beaver,” “The Eve Arden Show,” “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” and “The Brady Bunch.” Cowley served in the Army during World War II, earning the rank of lieutenant and a Bronze Star. On Aug. 2 in Los Angeles of an aneurysm.