William D. Perry

William (Bill) D. Perry, born on June 17, 1933, to loving parents, William D. Perry and Opal (Kennedy) Perry, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2023.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Mary (Shoemaker) Perry, whom he married on August 23, 1965. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared experiences. Their marriage was an example of lasting commitment and unwavering devotion.

A proud and caring father, Bill leaves behind his children, Bruce Perry, Robyn (Dennis) Gast, Terri (Joseph) Sansotta, and Daniel and (Mikki) Perry. He took great pride in watching them grow into loving adults.

He will be deeply missed by his twelve grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who adored their "Grandpa.”

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Vickie S. Brown, who held a special place in his heart, as well as his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

During his career, Bill dedicated 33 years of service to Tecumseh Products, contributing his skills and passion to the company's success. He then served the State of Ohio and Marion Township until his well-earned retirement. Beyond his professional life, Bill owned and operated a successful lawn care business for ten years. He passed his passion for lawn care onto his children.

A man of civic duty, Bill served as a UAW Union steward and represented Tecumseh Products at the BWC. He was the President of the Red Cross during the devastating Blizzard of 1978, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to helping others in times of need.

In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed pursuing activities that brought him joy and fulfillment. An avid bowler and softball player, he relished the camaraderie and competition of these sports. He enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing, especially the annual fishing trips to Canada with his beloved brother-in-laws.

One of his fondest pastimes was cheering for the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) alongside his wife Mary, sharing in the excitement of every game. Bill’s love for cards brought together friends and family for games that created lasting memories and provided great times for all. His silly sense of humor brought lots of laughter over the years.

The Perry family will be holding a private Celebration of Life to honor Bill’s memory and pay tribute to his remarkable life.