F. William “Bill” Perkins
11/20/1951-1/20/2020
Frank William “Bill” Perkins died suddenly in his Olathe home Sunday night. He was 68.
A big man with an even bigger heart, Bill spent his entire life in the Midwest. Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Jack and Georgie Perkins, he graduated from St. Edmond High School and Mankato State University, though his stories of that time period (especially once the relevant statues of limitations expired) didn’t include too many mentions of school.
Instead, if you were lucky enough to get him reminisicing, you might have heard about the time his car was struck (and pushed along the tracks) by a freight train in an ice storm, or when he T-boned a motorcyle, or the summer he spent fighting forest fires in Idaho before driving home via Colorado (to load every inch of his Volkswagen Beetle with Coors to bring back home to his friends.) He was undefeated as an amateur boxer, as the opponent in his sole match can verify. Some of these adventures were recounted when he hit a hole-in-one at the Fort Dodge Country Club and it seemed like half the town showed up for their free round at the 19th hole.
In something of a Perkins family trait, Bill firmly believed that everyone had a right to their own opinion — but should still enjoy the privilege of hearing his. (This made for some lively times at the Fort Dodge City Council during his term.)
Bill worked for a byproducts plant in Fort Dodge before a stint as a commodities broker. He later used that experience at National By-Products and its related entities, working his way up the ranks as a plant/district manager. That work brought him to the Kansas City area in the mid-’90s, where he was thrilled to be able to be near and spend more time with his beloved daughter, Cassie.
Bill has always loved to eat and to cook, and he took to KC’s barbecue culture like a duck to water. He mastered countless grills, smokers, probes and gadgets as he refined his methods for brisket, ribs and beans. (Recently, smoked turkey even started to take over at Thanksgiving meals.) He served as a barbecue contest judge, but of course his favorite venue to enjoy smoked meats was somewhere surrounded by family and friends.
Shortly after retiring from NBP, Bill started a new chapter as partner and co-founder of his own firm, TriStar LLC. Good years allowed him to add a home in Florida and a boat to his collection of “toys”, but Bill didn’t measure success by amassing assets — it always gave him great joy to be able to share, to tell a relative or friend that “hell yes” they should go stay at his place, “that’s what it’s there for!”
Partner, brother, uncle, friend — Bill was many things to many people, but what he treasured most was his role as father. Family meant everything to Bill, and he meant everything to his family. We will all miss him very much.
Man, we miss you Bill!
Bill, you will be missed. Still remember the great matches at the Fort Dodge Country Club on Sunday morning, while some were still under the weather from the night before with your brother, John and myself. Negotiations of handicaps between everyone, resulted in another 15 minutes of playing time.
I have not seen Bill for almost 45 years, but my memories of Bill, are of an incredible friend. I always felt he looked out and protected me from anyone he thought was not going to be kind to me. Reading all the stories about Bill, makes me realize how lucky we all were to have had Bill touch our lives. Prayers for all of his family and friends. Rest Bill!
I had the pleasure of knowing Bill through my friendship with his sister, Barb. I have so many happy memories of time spent in grade school and high school at Barb’s home. Given Bill’s height and the fact he was a bit older than we were, he could have been quite intimidating, but he was just the opposite. I remember him as a happy, positive, kind and fun loving young man. His life was cut short far too soon, but by all accounts, what a wonderful life it was. My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends for the sudden and tragic loss of a very dear brother, dad and special friend. God speed Bill. Thanks for the privilege of knowing you.
To Bill our dear Friend at Waterside in Fort Myers Beach! I am his Realtor and helped Bill purchase his “ home away from home on the water “ in Ft Myers Beach as well as his Boat
slip ! When Bill entered the room “ ducking under the door “ lol
He was A RAY OF SUNSHINE ☀️! A gentle giant more positive and kind than anyone I had ever met before !! Bill , became my friend instantly , so much more than my faithful client , and I will miss my friend Terribly … I know you are in Heaven Bill making it Shine a bit more ☀️
Veronique Pascual
A dear dear friend. You will be missed. I will never forget you and your sense of humor. RIP Bill.
Definitely” a big man with an even bigger heart”! My last fond memory of Bill was as skipper of his dream boat, navigating the ocean blue in his heaven away from home. A gentle giant with a sparkle in his eyes and a confident, warm smile. Such a loss.
Mike and I echo your lovely sentiments Barb. Fond memories of a wonderful adventure on the Gulf with the precious big guy in his big boat!! An unforgettable day with an unforgettable and wonderfully generous gentleman!! You will be missed by so many family and friends!!
Boom-Boom I will NEVER forget the good times & many conversations we had.
I know that you will always enjoy yourself
Bill I will miss you my friend. I will miss our daily discussions on markets in which I was mostly just listening to your wisdom. I appreciate the years of guidance and the opportunity to work with you. When I first started in this business I will never forget you telling me even if it was gonna really piss you off, “don’t tell me what I want to hear, tell me the truth, where’s that damn chicken meal truck.!” I will miss the gut busting laughter and and the way you made a boring desk job fun. Even when you were mad at me I was just more upset I let you down. I thank you my friend for your ear and guidance and I will very much miss you. It won’t be the same without you Bill. I will miss you brother!
I have have the pleasure of working with Bill over the past few years. Being born an “Dodger” Bill and I could talk forever about Fort Dodge.
We remembered Demon Baseball field. The Dog House drive up joint and of course Treloars
I think Bill’s fondness for BBQ ribs may have started at Treloars.
I will miss Bill as a good supplier for my company but will miss him as a friend even more. The conversations I have had with him over the years can never be replaced, but will also never be forgotten.
Sincerely Dan E
A lot of fond memories working with you at National By-Products (and happy hour after work).
You will be missed by all!!!!!
It was always such a pleasure to visit with Bill and catch up on his activities. He was such a generous man and I will never forget his holding a BBQ “lunch” at his home for my son and his 20 plus friends for his bachelor party in KC. What a feast! I was also lucky enough to be among some of the first to take a boat ride in the gulf with Bill when he bought his toy. That was a great afternoon. Bill, you will be missed greatly by many. Rest in peace my friend.
Bill was a sweet man with a kind heart!! I am so happy to hear he lived and celebrated his life to the fullest. I know his deep laugh and fun personality will be missed by so many. ❤️
As we played touch and tackle football at the Lauferswilers side yard, Mark L. and many of our other friends would challenge Bill and Joe L. against their friends. Bill usually would be one of the rushers onto the QB and he was a brute but fun guy. I have cherished those days of my youth. Thanks Bill for giving us those wonderful days of youth and he always gave us so much banter about us punks. RIP
Steve and I are so sorry for your loss…he was way too young!! Steve’s parents were dear friends of Georgia and Jack, and knew all the Perkin kids! They were so proud of all of you. My father Jim Janvrin was mayor of Fort Dodge when Bill was a councilman. He loved Bill and his love and enthusiasm for the city. He was a hard worker.
May he rest in Gods hands. He is at peace and with his parents..sending love
Karrey Lindeberg
I knew Bill first as one of my English/speech students at St. Edmond and later as a friend. I treasure both roles and mourn with the many who realize that he was truly ‘one of. Kind!’
I have known Bill for only a short 13 years, but they were a fun 13 years! As a young guy just starting my career, Bill was a tremendous counsel of wisdom and guidance as I learned to navigate the industry. I will miss our weekly/monthly discussions on everything from business to life, and have so enjoyed meeting Bill in Kansas City for great BBQ! Bill was one of those guys that you always knew where you stood with him, and loved to debate and discuss – I really enjoyed that about him! During my last meeting with Bill we reminisced on his early days of his career and some mistakes he made as well as his successes, those memories will never be forgotten. I could go on and on, but the fact remains that Bill will be sorely missed not only as a vendor but as a friend.
I was so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a wonderful boss and friend. He was wonderful to my Mother (Queenie) who also worked with him for many more years than I had the pleasure of. Mom was so surprised and thrilled when Bill flew me to Kansas City from West Virginia to surprise her at her retirement party. When I got married before coming to WV Bill stood in for my father who had passed away and walked me down the aisle. I was very happy and proud to have him by my side. May he rest in peace and give Mom hell as he usually did. My heart goes out to Cassie and his family and friends. Love, Gina Metz (Princess)
My deepest sympathy to Barbara, John, Bill’s daughter, Cassie, and all of the Perkins’ family. Many of my fondest childhood memories involved the Perkins’ kids.
May Bill rest in peace and enjoy his Eternal Reward. Roseann Flattery Vinsand
Sometimes life’s events make you catch your breath. That is how I felt upon hearing of Bill’s passing. Immediately my thoughts went back to me and my Mom, Pat Reid, working each day with Bill at Darling International and National By-Products. He was a good boss and more importantly, a fine friend. I picture in my mind he and my Mom, this giant man and this tiny little Irish lady, battling it out over some point they each had to make but also with such care and respect for each other.
Bill stood up with my sister when she married and also shared his culinary talents with my daughter, Kayla.
At my Mom’s memorial service he just hugged me with tears in his eyes.
Life goes by so quickly.
I think now of his sweet Cassie who his eyes lit up for whenever he talked of her.
Life moves on and we drift apart but just the other day I thought I need to stop by and say hello, Bill.
Thank you for your friendship to all our family.
May God bless your Cassie and all your loved ones as they slowly learn to live without you here.
May you say hello to my Mom (Queenie) if you should meet her in Heaven.
Billy, my old friend, you will be missed dearly by me. All the fun we had promoting the boxing in Mankato, creating the name Billy “Boom Boom” Perkins, and all the other things that are probably as previously mentioned, still under the statute of limitations. For the last 12 years having dinner with you in Kansas City when we came down to do one of our candy shows and our reminiscing about the old days at Mankato made our visit to the candy show memorable for me.
All of our memories, fun and laughs together are far too numerous to list here but forever in my memory. I will end by how I greeted you on the phone every time we talked, ” Ladies & Gentleman, here he is, the heavyweight champion of the world, Billy “Boom Boom” Perkins.” Until we meet again.
Billy, Billy, Billy. I echo previous sentiments about your being a guy with a big heart. It was so much fun getting to know you through our dinners together when Denny and I were in KC for the candy shows. All of the fun times at either Jack Stack’s or Johnny Cascone’s. It’s quite something remembering all the many fun and spirited evenings over the years! You will definitely be missed and my heart goes out to your brother, sister, and of course Cassie, who I got the pleasure of meeting as well. Carry on my wayward friend.
Where do I begin…..Bill was 2 yrs behind me in school but he hung out with me, his older brother, John, and Dick Hanson. The Perk brothers lived about a block or away and we frequently created havoc in the N 21st & 22nd street area of F.D. There was the time we threw marbles over the Dodger stadium wall during a Junior College FB game and then Bill decided to throw some marbles at a car turning the corner on 10th ave N/22nd street-oops-sorry it was a cop car he hit-he ran-I stayed-I got hauled home by the police and my mom got a lecture from the cops. There are so many more. It was hard to believe that Bill and I were the same size when I was in 8th grade and he was in 6th. He grew to 6’8″ and change while I hung out at 5’7″…not sure how that happened.
There were funny golf stories as well. In the early ’80’s Bill, myself, Terry Miller and Tuck Murphy organized a golf trip to Phoenix. We set out to drive it with a trash can full of sandwiches, etc. By DSM we had eaten all of the sandwiches AND we decided that driving to Phoenix was so overrated! We went to DSM airport-booked tickets for next AM and got a motel room. We got to Phoenix and monsoons where hitting the area. When Bill saw the weather report that forecast numerous storms that where backed up all the way to the Sea of Japan, the big guy said “I’m out”-took a cab to airport and was gone! BUT not before he had a ball hang on the lip of a par 5 that almost went in for an incredible double eagle! I made the mistake of hitting it back to him as a gimme, but he wanted to tap that putt in for an eagle cuz I’m guessing that was the 1st AND last eagle of his golf career! Many more stories on that trip but only a few where for public disclosure. He had a great sense of humor and he will be missed, BUT his stories will live on…I will see to that!
God Bless You, Bill!!
Larry Castagnoli
I will miss you popping into your condo here at Waterside I Bill, it was always a pleasure to see you arrive with you big smile and personality, My sincere sympathy to Bill’s family and to Cassie and Judy, I’m so so sorry for your huge loss.
Carmel Magill
Waterside I CAM
One of my favorite recollections of Bill is his laughter…genuine, contagious and always a joy to hear. In addition to being a friend, I served on a Board with Bill in the early 80s. He was intelligent, caring and, of course, brought his sense of humor to the table every meeting. And he so loved his family. He truly will be missed. What a wonderful, caring human being. I am so fortunate to have had Bill in a part of my life. Thanks Bill
so very sorry to hear of Bills sudden passing. All our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss. Much love Danny, Denise, Abby, and Sean Perkins
My first thought of Bill when I heard of his passing was that he was such a gentle giant, as many have said – so true. I know he’s now with his buddy Joe Laufersweiler, another ’70 Classmate that also left us way too soon, and along with Bill Nash, they are having quite the party up there. My sympathies to his family, John, Barbara and his daughter Cassie – it’s clear Bill was very loved in this life.
Peggy Nash
Bill has been our neighbor for the past couple of years and he was a joy to have living next to us. Smiling, happy and always ready for a conversation. Once the weather warmed up Bill could always be found on this deck reading and enjoying the quiet surroundings. We are miss him. Our thoughts and prayers for his family.
Jim & Sandi Brown
Bill was a co-worker and friend at National By-Products. I was a numbers guy and so was Bill. Bill showed me how to start investing and I really appreciated that. Bill entered a chili cook off in West Des Moines and had the best chili there but made the mistake of naming his chili Road Kill. I loved the name.
Bill you will be missed.
Your friend, Dave Riley