Billy Perry

Billy "Bill" Wayne Perry, 83, of Mesquite, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 31, 2023.

Bill was born on July 3, 1940, in Kenefic, Oklahoma, to William Perry and Lora Nona Perry.

Bill graduated from Canton High School in 1959. Upon graduation, he moved to Dallas, Texas, and began working for Western Auto. He and Mary Ruth Smith were married on September 14, 1963, at Junius Heights Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. The couple had 4 children: Justin, Julie, Cindy, and Susan.

Bill graduated from Machinist School at Texas Instruments. He began his career as a Machinist, working for Menasco Aerosystems, Otis Engineering, Corona Designs and ultimately, he retired from Trinity Industries, where he was part of a team that built railroad cars. Bill was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Bill had a special, fun-loving, congenial, and contagious personality. He loved to laugh and joke with everyone he met. Bill loved his family well, always providing care and advice whenever asked. A long-time member of Berean Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, Bill was a faithful part of sharing the gospel in various ministries there, including the Nursing Home Ministry and the Children's Ministry. He enjoyed greeting members and guests alike and he never knew a stranger. Bill was also a member of a model train club and enjoyed collecting various train memorabilia. Bill also loved to fish in his spare time.

Upon the early stages of his dementia diagnosis, Bill joined a study group, The Synapse Project 2013, which consisted of engaging in enjoyable and enriching lifestyle activities, such as quilting and photography, that can slow or delay cognitive and neural aging. By engaging in activities that were mentally challenging, it resulted in improved memory and enhanced neural efficiency. Bill thoroughly enjoyed this group which resulted in important and promising findings, that with further investigation may have broad implications for public health and delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Bill is survived by his children: Justin (Michelle) Perry of Mount Vernon, Texas, Julie Perry of Garland, Texas, Cindy (Jeff) Inman of Hephzibah, Georgia, and Susan (Randy) House of Forney, Texas. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Brittany (Scott) Temple of Walmohr, Germany, Travis (Bailey) Perry of Sedalia, Missouri, Mallory and Ruthie Inman of Hephzibah, Georgia, and Nathan House of Forney, Texas; great-grandchildren: Jude, Sebastian and Violet Perry of Sedalia, Missouri; Mary's siblings, (whom he cherished as his own siblings): sister-in-law, Pat York of Mesquite, Texas, sister-in-law, Linda Carter of Sulphur Springs, Texas, brother-in-law, Jerry (Penny) Smith of Longview, Texas, and brother-in-law, Kelly (Susan) Smith of Blossom, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Perry, his father, William Perry, his mother, Lora Reif, and his brother, Howard Perry.

The family wishes to extend our deep, heartfelt love and appreciation to the staff at Lillie's Place (Christian Care Center) in Mesquite, Texas, for their exemplary compassion and care of Bill since November 2020.

The service for Bill Perry will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive guests at 9:00 a.m. The graveside will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery, C R 1235, Detroit, Texas 75436.

Memorial donations can be made in Bill's name to the Alzheimer's Association, Dallas Chapter.