William James Perry

Perry, William James (Bill) of Marietta, Georgia passed away Sunday, May 24 after an extended illness. Born in Philadelphia in July 1943, he was the son of Lawrence and Frances Perry. During his teenage years, the family was living in Ft. Lauderdale, when Bill developed a passion for aviation. He joined the U.S. Air Force serving as an Air Traffic Controller from 1962-1968 and was stationed in Newfoundland at Ernest Harmon AFB & Little Rock AFB. After the Air Force, he joined National Airlines in Fort Lauderdale and became Special Assistant to the President of Customer Relations. In 1970, he started a new career in sales with the Overseas Sales Corporation followed by Miles Laboratories until 1993. After his retirement he found great joy serving as a Doorkeeper and Assistant Postal Clerk for the Georgia House of Representatives. He always loved fishing, especially tournaments in Florida and driving his bass boat all over Lake Allatoona and Lanier. Bill also loved sports and was an avid watcher of the Braves and Bulldogs. He spent many happy afternoons coaching baseball at Fullers Park in Marietta and with some highly successful travel teams. He was always young at heart and treasured his Trans Am, riding around with the T-tops off, playing his favorite music turned all the way up. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his sons at their home on Tybee Island. They have wonderful memories and cherished their summers together. He is survived by his wife Wanda of 39 years of Marietta, his son Kevin of Atlanta and son Lyle and his daughter-in-law Jennifer of Woodstock, his sister Joan Smith of Cumberland, MD, his brother-in-law Wendy Neville of Savannah, GA. He is also survived by nephews Bill and Shawn Smith and niece Marlee Gabriele all of Cumberland, MD. He was a loving husband and father and will be greatly missed. Due to Covid-19, there will be a family-only service at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Funeral arrangements are being made by McKoon Funeral Home. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Kidney Fund. https://secure2.convio.net/akf/site/SPageNavigator/df_id/onetime75.html?_ga=2.184812009.138931239.1590342536-496212818.1590342536&_gac=1.241445558.1590342562.EAIaIQobChMI_5OOzIfN6QIVhODICh14rgwXEAAYASACEgLejfD_BwE McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

William James Perry

July 12, 1943 - May 24, 2020