W. Lee Perkins, Jr.

W. Lee Perkins, Jr. died peacefully after a 28-year battle with Parkinson’s in Monroe, LA on December 23, 2024, at the age of 78, surrounded by his loving family.

The Memorial Service and Witness to the Resurrection will be at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Jonathan Wagner and Rev. Scott Cheatwood officiating. A Reception and Visitation will follow at the church.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Gardens of Memory in Metairie, Louisiana on Sunday, January 19th, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. with the assistance of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Lee was born December 31, 1945, in Miami Florida to Walter Perkins Sr. and Jewel Perkins. Later, the Perkins family (along with siblings Betty and Larry) moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where Lee attended East Jefferson High School. There, he met his best friend Rodney Pittman (who had a younger sister- Karen.)

From ‘64 to ’68, Lee attended Southeastern University in Hammond Louisiana where he studied political science and earned his pilot’s license, learning to fly just like his own father. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Airforce where he served as a staff sergeant. In July 1968, Lee was assigned to President Nixon’s security detail while stationed at Homestead Airforce Base in Florida.

Lee married Karen Claire Pittman August 6, 1972- the same year Lee started LSU Law School in Baton Rouge. He passed the Louisiana Bar in 1975 and began working at McBreen and Associates in New Orleans shortly thereafter. In 1979, he accepted the position of Assistant DA for Ouachita Parish and moved with Karen and their two young daughters, Tiffany and Vanessa to Monroe, LA where later they also welcomed a son, Walter Lee Perkins III (Trey). Since moving to Monroe, Lee worked as an ADA, attorney for Hudson, Potts and Bernstein, developed his own private practice and served for many years as an Indigent Defender Attorney with longtime friend Bob Noel. Lee and Bob took on several notable cases over the years including representing Mychal Bell during the high-profile “Jena 6” civil rights trial.

Upon moving to Monroe, Lee and Karen became actively involved at Covenant Presbyterian Church where he and Karen formed relationships that have lasted a lifetime. He dedicated much of his time to the church: serving in the session, writing some of their by-laws and even stepping in to deliver a Sunday sermon on rare occasions. If he wasn’t at church, you could find Lee at home doing a crossword puzzle, playing scrabble with Karen, sitting silently on a deer stand with his buddy Gene Tindall, playing golf with his good friend Tom Middleton, in a library studying the family genealogy or telling a joke to make his grandkids laugh. Lee’s faith and joy will be remembered by all who knew him, but especially for his most favorite Winston Churchill quote: “Never give up, never give up, never give up!”

The family wants to give a special thanks to Louisiana Hospice Care with Dr. Kerry Anders, Nurse Leslie Bourg, aide Diva, Lee’s caregivers Tammy, Mary, Sandra, and every friend and family member who has provided comfort and assistance over these trying years.

W. Lee Perkins, Jr. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen Claire Perkins; and his children, Tiffany Willams (D), Vanessa Stewart (French), and Walter Lee Perkins III (Donnelle); his grandchildren, Tristan Williams, Peyton Williams, Mia Williams and Helene Stewart; his sister, Betty Burgio (Mike); and brother, Larry Perkins (Lisa); his brother-in-law, Glynn Pittman (Jonette); and his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

To honor Lee’s life and death and to the glory of God: serving as the pallbearers are the ruling elders of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Honorary pallbearers are Tom Middleton, Morris Rabb, Gene Tindall, Bob George, Bob Noel and Creighton Chandler.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Foundation: https://give.michaeljfox.org , Rock Steady Boxing at LA Tech: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/810/rd/interior.aspx?sid=810&gid=1&pgid=340&cid=860  or Covenant Presbyterian Church at www.covenantepc.com