PERKINS, Paul Cary "Butch" 1940-2002

PERKINS, CHILDRESS, TRIPLETT, HILL, CALFAS, SCHAUF, COOK

Posted By: Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/18/2002 at 12:59:51

Paul Cary "Butch" Perkins, 62, died Tuesday, April 9, 2002, at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Ill., from natural causes. Services were Friday, April 12, at New Salem Baptist Church, with burial in Graceland Cemetery, both in Decatur.
Mr. Perkins was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Waterloo, son of Claude Perkins Sr. and JoeWillie (Childress) Perkins. He graduated from East Waterloo High School in 1957 and later attended the University of New Mexico.
In April 1960, he was united in marriage to Ruthie Triplett in Waterloo. The couple had a son, Jeffery, before divorcing in June 1964. During their marriage, Paul worked at Rath Packinghouse and University Hospitals in Minnesota before joining the Army.
Paul served two tours of duty in Vietnam, was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged as a captain in 1968. He married Patricia Hill in Oakland, California, in June 1968. The newlyweds moved to Decatur, Ill., where he graduated from Decatur Leadership Institute of Millikin University. He then became employed with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and assigned to numerous positions there. He retired in 2001 as director of Labor Relations after 33 years of excellent service.
Serving as a mentor with Decatur Public Schools and Junior Achievement Advisor he demonstrated his continued interest in the development and welfare of young people. After retiring from ADM, he continued doing training for the company. Mr. Perkins was an avid golfer and he loved life. Paul touched the lives of so many people and had the ability to make each of them feel special. Life will never be the same for our family without him. We loved him so much.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Jeff of Waterloo, Deron (Erin) of Springfield, Ill., and Brent of Decatur; a special son, George Calfas of Lillingotn, N.C.; four grandsons; three brothers, Claude (Lillie) and the Rev. Bill (Rose), both of Waterloo, and Don (Linda) of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Gwendolyn Schauf (Charles) and Beverly Cook, all of Waterloo; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.
His parents, one sister, Dorothy, and one brother, Ronald, preceded him in death.