William A. Perkins passed away on January 14, 2024.
He was born in Washington, DC and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He attended the Menlo School and College in Menlo Park, California before entering Stanford University in the fall of 1948. Bill met his wife, Carolyn, his freshman year and they were married at the end of Autumn quarter in their sophomore year so that they could live in married student housing. Bill graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and was assigned to Wright Patterson Air Base where he worked for three years on missile and pilotless vehicle projects.
He ultimately reached the rank of Captain during his Air Force Reserve service. After leaving Wright Patterson, he joined North American Aviation, later acquired by Rockwell Corporation. During his aerospace career, Bill spent 5 years in advance systems and marketing, 8 years on the Apollo Spacecraft Program, 9 years in Shuttle Program Control, and 16 years in Business Development and Strategic Planning. He retired from aerospace in 1995.
After retiring, Bill and Carolyn built a home in Pebble Beach on property inherited from his uncle whom he supported on frequent trips up from Southern California.
He served as Elder in his Church, on the Monterey Symphony Board, and was active in golf, tennis, SIR, and The Group. He had an abiding interest in world history and sports. He and Carolyn enjoyed the symphony, Gentrain, and going to Palo Alto for Stanford football games. They also enjoyed extensive travel, including Russia, China, Vietnam, India, and Europe. Bill lovingly cared for Carolyn in her final years, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary prior to her death in 2019.
Bill is survived by his children Todd (Tracy) Perkins of Pebble Beach, CA, and Chris Perkins of Orange, CA. He was preceded in death by Carolyn, his parents Nelson and E. Bruce Perkins, and his brother, George.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 2pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. A private interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey, CA 93940, or The Community Foundation for Monterey County Operating Endowment Fund, 2354 Garden Rd., Monterey, CA 93940.