William D. "Pete" Perry

William D. (Pete) Perry was born on February 13, 1936 to Joseph S. Perry and Daisy Idell Morris Perry in Strong, Arkansas and passed from this life on November 6, 2023 at his home in Stilwell surrounded by family.  Pete joined the navy on February 17, 1954 and discharged on March 8, 1968.  

He and his family moved to Stilwell in 1975 when he started working for his brother Jack and later took over the convenient store formerly known as Speedy Mart. He owned and operated his own tire shop  business and worked as a top notch diesel mechanic for many years.  He met Georgia Keeter and they married on July 18, 1980 and together they had one daughter which completed their blended family.  Pete did security work for Stilwell public schools and was known by all the kids as Pistol Pete. Later he and some other community members decided that the Baron community needed a Fire Department and in 1992-1993 the Mid-County Fire Department was formed and Pete served as the first chief for many years.  After retirement from the school system  he started working for Talking Leaves Job Corps and drove a bus and did security for them until his health would no longer allow him to work.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; Joseph S. and Daisy Idell Perry, three brothers, Louis Perry, Jack Perry and Billy Perry, grandchildren Jeremy Colston, Jason Colston and Jaime Colston. 

He is survived by his wife Georgia Perry of the home here in Stilwell, children Janice Green and husband Jimmy of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Dan Perry of Monroe, Louisiana, Michael Roberts and wife Karol of Stilwell, OK, Patricia Holdren of Glenpool, OK, Millette Buckner of Stilwell, OK and Dr. Meleah Hoskins of Muskogee, OK. 16 grandchildren, Jennifer Dykes, Emeleigh Hunter, Ally Perry, Turner Perry, Breanna Jones, Tayden Roberts, Janessa Bunch, Regan bunch, Matthew Worsham, Joshua Worsham, Christopher Boster, Kelby Boster,  Chase Buckner, Kinley Gatlin, Madison Gatlin, Savannah Hoskins, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, brother Nick Perry and wife Lisa of Alexandria, LA, sisters Judy Scarlett and husband Jerry of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Mary Meyers and husband Rick of Shannon Hills, Arkansas and Relinda Vines and husband Bill of Eldorado, Arkansas, a very special close family friend Carolyn Jones of the home as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.