"How could I forget "Mr. Bill". One day in 1983, while he worked for my father-in-law at the Foxboro Co, I visited him and informed him that Nancy and I had sold our house and were having a new one built in Wrentham. It would not be available in time, leaving our family of four without a place to live. I was a good friend of the family long before that day. Bill responded by saying "you damn fool, where are you going to live?" I had no answer for him. He, living alone at the time, opened up his heart and said why don't you, Nancy and the kids come live with me. That is the kind of person he was. I loved the guy for who he was and accepted the offer. We lived on Circle Drive in Wrentham for three months. The kids got the biggest kick out of him. Me and my two daughters have so many good memories of "Mr. Bill". This was one of them. Dan Tower"
In loving memory of
William Perry
February 28, 1926 - April 29, 2017
PORTSMOUTH - William (Bill) Perry, age 91, passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital surrounded by his entire family on April 29, 2017. Born in Hudson, MA on February 28, 1926, Bill enjoyed over 25 years of marriage to each of R. Ruth (Anderson/Sebastiao) Perry and Pauline (Boucher) Perry who both predeceased him. He is survived by his stepsons Richard Sebastiao and his wife Lorraine of Newport, RI and Buddy Sebastiao of St. Peters, MO and several stepchildren from his marriage to Pauline. He was also loved by Karen Sebastiao from St. Peters, MO.He was the son of the late Antonio and Emilia Pereira, both of Portugal and the brother of the late Joseph Pereira and the late Anthony Perry. Born as Abel John Pereira, Bill changed his name to William Perry in 1954.He leaves 4 grandchildren, Lisa (Sebastiao) Sawyer and her husband David of Franklin, MA, Kim Sebastiao and her wife Erin Powers of East Boston, MA, Jillian (Sebastiao) Shadden and her husband Jason of St. Peters, MO and Lauren (Sebastiao) Fagan and her husband Bryan of Wentzville, MO, together with 8 great grandchildren.Bill was a World War II veteran of the US Navy having served from the age of 18 and being assigned to an LST at the Normandy landing in 1944. He received the WW II Victory Medal, American Area Ribbon and European African Middle Eastern Area Ribbon upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy.Bill was a long time resident of Milford, MA, then Wrentham, MA and North Attleboro, MA. Bill was the former owner of the Del Rancho car hop restaurant in Plainville, MA for over 20 years as well as Bill's Grill in Wrentham, MA prior to that. He could out work anyone on the planet and many times held 3 jobs at a time, even working on a delivery truck until the age of 80. He had more energy at 91 than most people decades younger. He thoroughly enjoyed his many travels with family to Florida, Portugal and Hawaii as well as many cross country trips over the years.Bill moved to Atria Aquidneck Place in Portsmouth at the age of 88 and thoroughly enjoyed his time there. He leaves many close friends on the Atria staff and in residence there where he was affectionately called "the mayor."We will all miss his jokes, smile and camaraderie and most of all his friendship.Visiting hours will be at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway in Newport, RI on Tuesday May 2 from 4:00-8:00 PM. A funeral mass will be said at 11:30 AM on May 3rd at St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 1697 E. Main Rd., Portsmouth, RI. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to your favorite charity in Bill's name. Additional information at www.memorialfuneralhome.com Visitation MAY 2. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Mass MAY 3. 11:30 AM St. Barnabas Catholic Church 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US
Tributes
"When I met Bill I was far from home, had no friends in the area, and my husband was away for months at a time. Bill and I became friends and I started to feel at home. He would talk me through all my sad and lonely times. Some days we would dance and play and just talk about our lives. He made one of the hardest years of my life easier and I will always love him for that."
"You always knew how to put a smile on my face. Between the lunch dates we had and our ice cream dates, with all the dancing you and I did together, and all the laughs we shared, I'm going to miss it all. I'm so thankful I was able to share all these memories with you. I'll miss you Mr. Perry"
"Nora Mace lit a candle in memory of William Perry"
"Condolences to the whole Perry-Sebastiao-Sawyer family. Bill made all smile who knew him! RIP Bill"
"Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of William Perry."
"Bill will certainly be missed by his family at Atria. It is hard to believe two weeks ago Bill asked me to dance in the community room, and we had a a fabulous time. As many have told me today, "Bill will be missed". My condolences to all of Bill's family. His family here at Atria is heartbroken.I will miss the yummy, fattening "dough boys" Bill would bring me. Rest in peace Bill.Gloria RN"
"Mr Perry was not just a resident to me We became good friends he was my helper every morning to help set up the dining room while waiting to get his first cup of coffee and telling me it's going to be a great day for bocci he was the ring leader for bocci there are so much more I could say about him I will miss him dearly may you Rest In Peace Mr Perry you were a great friendLIsa Rondeau (Atria) Restaurant Coordinator"
"1 file added to the album New Album Name"
"Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of William Perry."
"I drive the van at Atria. Most mornings bill would be waiting for me he would say where we going I'd tell him, it didn't really matter he would clime aboard and we would tell stories.He loved to talk about his children and grand children . If I was confused about something we would talk about it, he would always give me good advise. He was one of a kind. I will miss him greatly. Tom K. Atria"
"Worked for Bill at Del Rancho for 5-6 years. He was a really good guy. My sympathies to Karen and Buddy and rest of the family."
"Moira G Maloney lit a candle in memory of William Perry"