William E. Perry

William, usually known as Bill or Billy, was born May 26, 1930, in Raleigh, NC. While growing up, he lived in several towns in North Carolina and Virginia before the family settled in Raleigh. While attending NC State University he met his future wife, Peggy Joyce Reece.

They stayed in Raleigh for the first part of their married life, which is where their daughters Connie and Brenda were born. After Bill earned his degree in chemical engineering and served a brief stint in the U.S. Navy, his work took them to places around the country including Chicago IL, Wilmington DE, Chattanooga TN, and Gulf Breeze FL. Robin, their third daughter, was born in Tennessee and Toni, their fourth, was born in Florida. Bill worked in chemical engineering for several companies, including DuPont, American Cyanamid, CH Overman, Catalytic, C.T. Main, and Savannah River Site. After many years in Florida, the family came back to North Carolina to settle in Charlotte.

Bill had many interests outside of work and family. Over the years, he marched with a drum and bugle corps; was an active member of Toastmasters; served on the local school board; learned to speed-read; worked at a bar part-time so he could listen to Dixieland jazz; joined the Power Squadron for boaters; assisted a friend with wedding photography; worked as a volunteer firefighter; attended writer's conferences; participated in a local scion of the Baker Street Irregulars; was accepted into Mensa; joined the Mystery Writers of America; and was a devoted dog owner. But Bill's lifetime hobby was reading. Though his first love was mysteries, he also read widely in history, urban fantasy, forensic science, creativity research, and if nothing else was available, the back of a cereal box. As his health failed, he enjoyed watching TV, particularly documentaries and mysteries, but kept on reading. Just days before his passing, he asked for the latest Old Farmer's Almanac.

He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law: Connie Perry Spencer and husband William; Robin Perry Schnabel; Toni L.P. Kelner and husband Stephen. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Karen Spencer Andrews, Kristi Spencer Sivers, Amanda Holt, Jennifer Schnabel, Derek Schnabel, Michael Schnabel, Kyle Schnabel, Maggie Kelner, and Valerie Kelner. There are four great-grandchildren: Camron Andrews, Katie Andrews, Julius Smith, and Atlas Schnabel.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Reece Perry; their daughter Brenda Perry Holt; Brenda's husband, John Walter Holt; Robin's husband, Anthony Jones; and his parents, Acyle Everett Perry and Margaret Little Perry.

The family will receive friends Thursday August 12 from noon - 1 PM at Forest Lawn West Funeral Services, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208. A funeral service will be held immediately after at 1 PM. The service will be livecast on the Facebook page for Forest Lawn West Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care - Charlotte Region.