William Henry Perry III

William H. "Bill" Perry, III (Uncle Bill )passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 following a long illness. Bill was born to William H. Perry, Jr. and Marion E. Barmore both of Webb City, MO.
Bill attended the University of Kansas in 1958 through 1962 originally pursuing a degree in architectural engineering but later seeking a degree in history. It was during this period that he served in the National Guard. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Man of the Year in 1962. He was also in the honors program and graduated with a BA on the Dean's Honor List. He then attended Washington College of Law, American University in Washington, DC. There he was feature editor of the Legal Eagle, a member of Phi Delta Phi and honor recipient for Labor Law.
In 1966 he established the Myers, Webster and Perry Law Firm. He eventually became the city attorney for Webb City and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Jasper County. He was also Director, Vice President and corporate counsel for Cardinal Scales Mfg. Co. He later created a law firm with Richard Copeland. In 1973, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He chose to not run for office again but became involved in several political organizations including president of the Jasper County Bar Association. In 1981 Bill established his own law firm specializing in child advocacy and adoption.
He was very civic-minded with special interests concerning children, arts, history and literacy. He served on numerous boards and was past president of the Webb City Council for the Arts, Joplin Public Library, Spiva Art Center and Missouri Association of Community Arts Agency. He served as president of Children's Haven of Southwest Missouri and was very involved in the Friends of the Webb City Farmer's Market as well as the Joplin Humane Society. Other organizations include: Webb City Library Foundation, Rotary Club of Joplin, Connect to Culture, Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex, Art Central Carthage, Lafayette House, Joplin Garden Club and was on the State Garden Tour. He was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous and remained in recovery for over 30 years.
Bill was extremely involved in Joplin Little Theatre having performed on and off stage. He served on Joplin Little Theater's Board of Directors and the Joplin Little Theatre Directing staff and was an award-winning director. His interest in the arts did not stop there. He eventually took up photography and became a fine arts photographer specializing in black and white portraits and the human figure. He won numerous awards in the United States and Italy with shows also in Mexico and Africa.
Bill is survived by his sister, Rebecca Perry, Webb City, MO. Niece and nephew-in-law Aston Perry Stovern and Matt Stovern, Webb City, MO. Nieces Megan Sabo, Joplin, MO and Micah Mudge, New Zealand. Grand-nieces Rylee Munch, Oronogo,MO and Tressa Stovern, UMKC Missouri Law School. Grand-nephew Maxwell Stovern, University of Arkansas. Great-grand-nephew Sawyer Munch and greatgrand-niece Charlotte Munch both of Oronogo, MO.
A celebration to honor him will be held Thursday, January 2, 2024, 5pm - 7pm at his residence. Memorial contributions may be given to Joplin Little Theater or Spiva Center for the Arts. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.