PERKINS, William R. (Bill) AGE 86. Resident of Harrison. Passed away May 27, 2014. Born July 24, 1927 in Barbourville, Kentucky to the late William and Bessie (nee Cupp) Perkins. Bill served his country with honor in the US Army at the end of WWII and married Rosalie Kidd upon his return in 1947. They were married in May that year, in Kentucky. With marriage license in hand, they approached the minister of a small church who agreed to marry them when he finished with Sunday services. However, the minister surprised them by inviting his congregation to stay and what was to be a wedding with only Bill, Rosalie, and their witnesses, ended up being a big, church wedding, on the spot. They began their married life living in Cincinnati and eventually settled in Harrison in the early 1950's. Bill and Rosalie were blessed with 3 daughters; Bonnie, Connie and Vickie, who all graduated from William Henry Harrison High School, went on to receive university degrees and start their own lives and careers. Bill and Rosalie passed on to their daughters their strong work ethic and their shared belief to "not look for the easy way out; life can be tough."

Bill, Rosalie, and their daughters were long time members of the United Methodist Church of Harrison. Bill retired from the City of Cincinnati and shortly thereafter began a new "career" volunteering, first at the Shriner's Burn Institute, and later at the Harrison Medical Center on New Haven Road. After more than 45 years of marriage, Rosalie passed away, leaving Bill to start the next chapter of his life.

In 1996, Bill was married to Dora (nee Brock) Roberts. He and Dora shared a love of traveling and enjoyed many special trips together. Bill was an avid golfer, a sport he enjoyed playing with his daughters, old friends, and found it an opportunity to make many new friends.

Survivors include his wife: Dora, daughters: Bonnie Perkins of Hamilton, Connie (John) Karrer of Sharonville, Vickie (Gary) Pierson of St. Charles, Missouri, and grandchildren: Amanda Perkins of Hamilton and Jacob Williams of Austin, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Rosalie (nee Kidd) Perkins; Siblings: Viola Cupp, Lucy Malcolm, Elmer and Herman Perkins.

Private ceremony will be at 10:30 on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45015. A reception for personal friends will be from 11:00 to 12:00 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in Bill's name to: Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc. - Western Hills, c/o Bethesda Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597 (Family notification: C. Karrer, 1405 Garden Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45246)