William Oliver Perry, Jr. (Bill) was born on February 9, 1922, to William O. Perry, Sr. and Mildred Eva Woodward in Denver, CO, the first of three boys. It was in junior high that Bill met his future bride, Barbara Cahoon, as they served together as class officers. They married on June 6, 1945, in West Point, New York, the day after Bill graduated from the Academy as a lieutenant in the Army. The next morning, they boarded a train for their honeymoon in Estes Park, which always remained a favorite family vacation spot.
They quickly found themselves the parents of 6 children: William O. Perry, III (Linda), Richard R. Perry (Nancy), Janet Lynn Kelly Hansen (Steve), Thomas R. Perry (LeeAnn), Robert J. Perry (Leslie), and Douglas M. Perry (Kim), all of whom were born in different locations around the world. Bill served with dedication during both WWII and the Korean War as evidenced by his many medals, including both a Bronze and Silver Star.
After retiring from the military, Bill went back to college and obtained a law degree. His family's lives were changed forever when he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 46. He served faithfully in many capacities and became an excellent student and teacher of the gospel. After a successful law career, he continued his lifelong quest for knowledge by studying archeology at BYU and traveling to many dig sites around the world with Barbara. He also tried his hand at ranching and never passed an opportunity to take on another challenge.
Bill passed peacefully from this world into Barbara's loving arms on December 21, 2019. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Milton Perry and Richard Arney Perry, as well as his daughter-in-law, Juli Anne Perry and his son-in-law, Fred Kelly. He is survived by his children. He also left behind 36 grandchildren, 102 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, knowing they will someday reunite and spend eternity together.
A viewing will be held Friday, December 27, 2019, from 6-7 pm, followed by a celebration of life at Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, UT 84092. A funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 7505 South Addison Way, Aurora, CO 80016. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service at 10 am. Interment will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO.
In lieu of flowers, Bill requests that you consider a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.