William Marshall Perkins

MSgt William “Bill” Marshall Perkins USAF (Ret), 90 of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away October 4th after complications from Lewy Body Dementia.

Bill was born in Winchester, Kentucky in 1930. He enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and in spite of being sea sick and a non-swimmer, served three years aboard multiple ships including the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier.  After his Navy enlistment was up he went home to Kentucky for eight days then enlisted in the Air Force because he didn’t like civilian life.  Six months later, he married Sarah Elizabeth “Liz” Perkins, while stationed at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona.  Bill served in the Korean War and had assignments to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Sculthorpe Air Base, England; the Armed Forces Induction Station, Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, Kotzebue Air Station, Alaska, and Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.  

Bill settled in Del Rio, Texas when he retired from the Air Force in 1971.  He worked at the Border Federal Credit Union for 21 years as a loan officer, assistant manager, and branch manager. 

Bill was very active adult in the Boy Scouts with three troops in Ohio then Texas, and Cub Scouts in England because of his two son’s interest.  He dedicated himself to becoming a better Scout Leader and earned numerous awards and distinctions including the Silver Beaver Award, Concho Valley Council, for distinguished service while he was the Scoutmaster of Troop 280 at Laughlin Air Force Base.

After retiring a second time, Bill and Liz traveled the country in their motor home and were very involved in the Amistad SAMS Club in Del Rio as well as the Texas Military Retiree RV Club.  In 2012, Bill sold his home and the RV so they could move to Fort Walton Beach and reside at the Air Force Enlisted Village.

He is survived by his two sons Marshall (Jacque) Perkins, Jr. of Del Rio, Texas and Frank (Beverly) Perkins of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Bill also cherished his grandchildren that knew him as Papaw: Bill Perkins III, Gennifer Perkins, Franklin (Dalila) Perkins, Kristy (Toby) Jacob, Heather (Jazmin) Perkins, and great-grandson, Christopher (Rachael) South.  As well as his half-brother, James (Anne) Pope, Jr., of Winchester, Kentucky.  

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Liz Perkins, father William Goebel Perkins, mother Nellie Mae (Dewey) Pope, sister Pauline (Vern) Edwards, and brothers Robert Perkins, James Perkins, and half-sister, Betty Jean Pope.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 AM followed by a Service at 10:00 at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home. There will be a private family interment at the Barrancas National Cemetery later that afternoon.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the charity of your choice in his name.

Arrangements are entrusted to Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach. Family and friends may go online to share your memories and condolences at: www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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