William C. Perry Jr., 61
William C. Perry Jr., 61, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at his home in Kalispell.
He was born on April 28, 1944, at Parks, Neb., the son of William Charles and Rose Bernice (Pugh) Perry. He attended schools in Nebraska and enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1965 and was stationed in San Diego, Calif.
Upon his return he married the love of his life, Judy Roberts, on May 23, 1968. Of this union two children were born, Jason and Toni.
Bill enjoyed working with his hands all of his life, creating beautiful objects out of wood and metal. Most of these were shared with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his wife working in the yard, planting flowers and building her a deck she could sit on and enjoy.
Bill worked various jobs in his life, but it was here in the valley that he found his job and the people he worked with the most rewarding; Kurt and Kent Reimer of MIDWAY Rental gave tremendous support to Bill and his family during this fight. It was because of them that Bill found his way to walk with the Lord and accept his fate. Bill was not a man of many words and the appreciation he felt for the MIDWAY family could never be fully expressed to the feelings he felt inside.
Bill and his family were given support from family friend, Art Veatch, who came and stayed with Bill and Judy whenever needed, usually for weeks at a time. Bill smiled and laughed when Art shaved his head for support when Bill had brain surgery.
Bill loved spending time with his grandchildren, one of his last requests was to watch his oldest granddaughter, Taja' play at a state hockey tournament in North Dakota. Despite the fight with cancer, chemo and radiation, he drove with his wife, and his son, Jason, and daughters' families, to Bismarck to watch her play. Taja's love for her "Papa" was shown the first game when she unveiled a new goalies helmet that she designed and personalized to him. Airbrushed on it was a courageous bull with a brand of Papa 2005 and the eternity sign. The Lady Generals made Bill their official mascot and all wore LIVESTRONG bracelets in support of him. The team placed second in the tournament and Bill turned to his wife and said "I guess I might have brought them some luck."
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Leslie, Bob, Art, Elton, Evert and Carl Perry.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Perry of Kalispell; son, Jason Perry and his wife, Rebekah, of Kalispell; a daughter, Toni Strouf and her husband, Jason, of Miles City; his grandchildren, Nichole, Rebecca and Makenzie Perry of Kalispell, Taja, Haylee and Jacob Strouf of Miles City; sisters, Phyllis Harmon and her husband Paul of Yelm, Wash., Betty Knapp and husband, Tommy, of Imperial, Neb., May Sterry and husband, Ivan, of Presho, S.D.; brothers, Dale Perry of Billings, and Dena Perry and wife, Betty, of Ray, Colo.; his very special friend, Art Veatch of Billings; and his extended family he cared very much for, the owners and crew at MIDWAY Rental, Kurt and Kent, Moe, Dave, Mike, Ken, Terry, Dan, Rod, Pat and the rest of the bunch.
Memorial services will be held for William 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Cliff Purcell officiating. There is no visitation.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for William's family.