William "Bill" Perich

William "Bill" Perich, age 95, entered his heavenly home on Sunday, February 22, 2026. He had resided at Lansing Care and Rehab for the past eight months due to health concerns.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, Feb. 27th, 2026, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 300 S. 5th St. Atchison KS 66002 Burial will follow with military honors in the Sunset Memory Gardens, Atchison, KS. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison Salvation Army and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who is entrusted with his funeral care. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Bill was born on November 24, 1930, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, one of seven children. After graduating from high school in 1948 at the age of 17, he joined the United States Navy with his mother's permission. He served as an electrician's mate aboard the USS Satyr and was stationed in Japan, Alaska, and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

Following his military service, Bill attended the University of Kansas, where he majored in Physical Education and minored in Mathematics. As a freshman, he walked on to the KU men's basketball program and was coached by Forrest "Phog" Allen. Bill played one season on the freshman team and graduated in 1957.

Bill began his teaching career in La Grange, Wyoming, where he taught mathematics and coached the high school boys' basketball team to its first state championship. Throughout his 36-year career in education, Bill touched the lives of countless students and athletes. He held teaching and coaching positions at La Grange High School (WY), Atchison High School (KS), West Platte High School (MO), Effingham High School (KS) and Benedictine College (KS). His brilliant mind, wisdom, and life experiences left a lasting impact on those who knew him. He retired from teaching in 1993.

After retiring Bill became a competitive runner and participated in many regional events and the Senior Olympic Sunflower Games. Bill loved God, his family, the Constitution, patriotism, America, and Jayhawk basketball. He had a deep appreciation for history, especially the Civil War and World War II. He also loved traveling; he and Jeanette visited all 50 states as well as Canada.

Bill met his beloved wife, Jeanette, on February 2, 1962, at a basketball game. They were married three months later, on May 27, 1962. They shared 63 years and 9 months of marriage. The couple settled in Atchison, Kansas, where they lived for 50 years and raised their four children.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanette; and their children: Lori (George) Warhop and their children Olivia and Jacob; Susan (Dale) Schedler and their children Hadassah; Christopher Schedler (Becca), Tristan, Corin (Casey) Schedler, Collin (Katie) Schedler, and their children, George, Eleanor, and Elsie. Sheri (the late Tim) Wilson and their children Katherine (Kirk) Humes (and great - grandchildren Noah and Eleanor Humes), Michael Wilson and Samuel Wilson; and Forrest Allen Perich (named after Forrest "Phog" Allen) and his wife Michelle, and their children William (Sarah, expecting Sawyer James Perich), Joshua, Matthew, and Julia. He is also survived by extended family members, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Mildred (Banda) Perich; his stepfather, Andrew Banda; his brothers George Perich, Mike Perich, and Nick Banda; and his sisters Betty Burgoyne, Patsy Guy, and Mickey Riley.