William Eugene Perry

January 18, 1959 - January 15, 2009 William Perry (49) passed away January 15, 2009. Bill was born January 18, 1959 in Ft Fairfield, Maine and was a resident of Colorado Springs since 1970, where he graduated from Doherty High School in 1977. He graduated from the University of Colorado Cum Laude in 1985 - Go Buffalos! Bill cherished his time in the United States Marine Corps where he served from 1977 to 1981. While in the Marines, Bill received two Presidential Commendations, the Silver Super Squad Medal, Bronze Super Squad Medal, Rifle Expert Badge (2nd Awd), Meritourious Mast (3rd Awd), Good Conduct Medal and The Navy Achievement Award (2nd Awd). He also developed the USMC Squad Leader School. Bill treasured the time he spent coaching baseball and football. Next to his family, coaching was his greatest love. Bill was one of the originators of the Pikes Peak Competitive Baseball Association in 1993, where he coached the Sky Sox PPCBA team that first year. Along with Walt Watkins and Tom Roff, Bill went on to coach the Mariners PPCBA team from 1994 to 2000. Bill and Walt continued on to coach the Colorado Springs Bulldogs from 2001 until 2007. He truly loved every minute of coaching, the players, the coaches, and the families he got to share so many wonderful years and happy times and moments over the years. As many friends who knew Bill are aware, he was the happiest between the white lines and he so loved the game of baseball. He is survived by his wife, Laurel, whom he was married to for twenty-one years; his children, Mason Hayes, Billy Perry of Colorado Springs, Jessica Ross and her husband Tim of East Hampton, NY. He is also survived by his parents, Donald and Linda of Colorado Springs; his brother, Steve and wife, Laura of Yelm, Washington; his sister in laws, Sue married to Brian Hills of Colorado Springs, Karen married to Donald Mills and Diana Damarin all of Taylorville, IL. He left behind three nephews, Adam Hills, John Damarin and Brandon Mills; nieces Shauna Hills, Rebecca married to Jared Rolen, Cristen Perry; his aunts Maline Ciambotti, Peggy Wales married to Jesse; cousins, Leon and Melinda Ciambotti, Lisa married to Bill Frank, Betty married to Ronnie Albert, as well as his best friends, Walt and Marlene Watkins, Steve and Lori Ridgway, Doug and Vicky Loman and Tom and Kim Roff. A viewing will be held at Mountain View Mortuary on Friday January 23rd between 4 and 7pm. A celebration of Bill's life will then be held on Saturday, January 24th at Mountain View Mortuary at 11am. He will be laid to rest at Fort Logan on Monday January 26th during a private service. Donations can be made to the Memorial Hospital Foundation or Dreampower Animal Rescue.