Perry Robert Arrington

LELAND, NC – Perry Robert Arrington, age 73, who was born in Greenville, SC and spent most of his life in Leland, NC, went home to be with his Lord on March 6, 2026, likely arriving in a heavenly dump truck or a lowboy trailer.

Perry was a man of many names, and depending on how you knew him, you might have called him "Mr. Perry," "Uncle Perry," or "Preacher Perry." To his kids, he was simply "Dad" or "Daddy," the man with the answers and the best jokes.

However, to the local trucking world, he was the one and only "Makin' Bacon." If you heard that handle over the CB radio, you knew you were in for a conversation full of wit and a laugh so contagious it could be heard three counties over.

Perry was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and spent many years with the Leland Volunteer Rescue Squad, proving that he was the guy you wanted by your side in a crisis-mostly because he'd probably figure out a way to make you smile while he was saving you.

He spent much of his career as a proud truck driver, which was really just a professional excuse to keep "playing in the dirt". Perry was a God-loving man who was famously selfless, charming, and perpetually optimistic. He was the kind of guy who always had a smile on his face and a thoughtful word for a stranger, usually delivered with a twinkle in his eye that suggested he was about to tell a joke.

Perry is survived by his son, Perry "Ace" Arrington (and wife Traci), and his daughter Sabrina Johnson both of Wilmington, who will miss his "Dad-isms" most of all. He leaves behind his grandchildren-Ayden Arrington, Kristin Ammons, and Donovan Ammons-who were the light of his life.

He is also survived by his brothers: Patrick Arrington (Jennie) of Greenville, SC; William Arrington (Sonja) of Columbia, S; Phil Spaulding (Lori) of Ocean Isle Beach; and Lee Arrington of Anderson, SC; as well as his very dear friend, Nancy Miller Locklear.

Waiting for him at the great truck stop in the sky are his parents, Una and Harry Spaulding and Walter Arrington II; his sister, Nancy L. Norris; and his brothers, Walter Arrington III and David Arrington.

A celebration of Perry's life will be held at First Baptist Church of Woodburn, 109 Lee Drive in Leland on Monday, March 16th 2026 at 1pm with a graveside service to follow at the former Faith Church 9213 Parker Trail NE, in Leland . Visitation will be held Sunday, March 15th 3pm to 5pm at First Baptist Church of Woodburn.

IMPORTANT: Because Perry loved his family fiercely, we are asking a small favor. Several family members present are immunocompromised. If you have the sniffles, a cough please stay home and join us via the Live Stream. Perry wouldn't want his big day to be the reason anyone else got sick-plus, he'd want you to have a front-row seat from your couch where you can laugh as loud as he did.

You may view the live stream of the celebration of Perry's life at 1:00pm on March 16th by clicking HERE.

In honor of Perry, the family asks that you tell a joke, help a neighbor, or just go outside and dig a hole in the dirt today.

Please leave memories and condolences for Perry's family under "Share a Memory".

Services and care entrusted to Wilmington Funeral & Cremation - Wilmington Chapel - 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28451 910.791.9099