William Swain “Bill” Perkins, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 15, 2023.
Bill was born in Springfield, Missouri to William and Lena (Swain) Perkins on July 15, 1945.
Bill attended Koshkonong schools exceling in baseball, basketball and band. He then attended Arkansas State University playing baseball through college and serving as President of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. Bill started law school at the University of Arkansas where he gained lifelong friends and thereafter, returned home to practice law with Pat Freeman.
During that same time period, Bill met Karen Carhart and they were married March 11, 1972.
Over the next 40 years, Bill practiced law in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas while Karen worked together with him running the Eleven Point River Title Company. Bill was involved in politics serving as a Missouri Delegate in 1976 at the Democratic Convention selecting Jimmy Carter to run for President. During the course of his career, Bill served as Prosecuting Attorney for Oregon County and City Attorney for Thayer along with representing many clients from the surrounding communities in his private practice. Bill was a Member of The Missouri Bar and Masonic Lodge, Shriner, Past-President and Paul Harris Fellow for the Thayer-Mammoth Spring Rotary Club, longtime supporter of the Thayer Bobcats sports teams and Vestry Member at All Saints Episcopal Church in West Plains. Bill loved the St. Louis Cardinals, riding around the farm and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Karen G. Perkins; children, Lauren Perkins Allen and William Clayton Perkins (his wife,Laura); and grandchildren, Ella, Rainey and Sydney.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Union Hill Cemetery.
March 17, 2023 @ 9:46 am
Karen, I am so deeply sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
March 17, 2023 @ 1:51 pm
Karen and Family, I am sorry for the loss of Bill, Prayers for all of you.
March 17, 2023 @ 8:32 pm
Karen and family,
Sending thoughts and prayers at this time.
Bill was one of a kind and I always enjoyed
Visiting with him. Lots of memories.
March 18, 2023 @ 8:03 pm
Karen and family, Gene and I send our thoughts and prayers for comfort.
March 19, 2023 @ 11:21 am
I will always remember the kindness you and Bill showed our family when we lost our home to fire. Bill took clothes out of his closet and brought them to mom and dads home.
I will never forget your family’s kindness.
May God be with you and may peace that he can give be with you and family.
James Ray Jr.
March 19, 2023 @ 4:35 pm
Karen and family, So very sorry to hear of Bill passing, memories with him are a great comfort. Prayers for you and your family.
March 19, 2023 @ 7:19 pm
So sorry to hear about Bills passing. He was my boss for 7.5 years and trained me on the legal profession. My girls reminded me that Lauren taught them how to swim. I have a lot of fond and hilarious memories of Bill. Thoughts and prayers are with your family.
March 20, 2023 @ 6:54 pm
I had the privilege of working for Bill and Karen and I’m truly sorry to learn of his passing.
March 20, 2023 @ 11:45 pm
Sorry for your loss Karen. Jim and I send our thoughts and prayers for you and your family. May God and his angels hold you close.
March 22, 2023 @ 10:23 am
Bill’s passing is a sad loss for all of us, friends, family and acquaintances. We all have such fond memories of our friendship and a life well lived. We commend Bill to the heavenly host, and God’s caring arms.
David J. Potter
March 22, 2023 @ 7:22 pm
Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family during this tough time.
March 22, 2023 @ 9:05 pm
Hey aunt Shirley we will all see u one day and we all love u and u and Jesus knows that Do u remember me ???
March 26, 2023 @ 9:27 pm
We thought a lot of Bill he’s helped us out so many times he was a very good man and we’re so sorry to hear of his passing may God be with you in this time of sorrow sending loads of love and prayers Clarence and Donna ball.
March 29, 2023 @ 2:36 pm
Bill was a good man all around. A friend and mentor to me and many others. The world was a better place because of him and is a lesser place with his passing. He will be missed.
March 29, 2023 @ 6:15 pm
We had such fun times with Bill. Lauren, Karen, and Clay, my heart is with you.
March 30, 2023 @ 1:19 pm
Karen,Lauren& Clay
Our sympathys are with you all with the loss of Bill.We will be out of town that week-end but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ron and Ann Cowens
March 30, 2023 @ 2:54 pm
Karen, Gene and I were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We always had such a good time at the horse shows. Bill was such a Good Sport!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We love you, take care.
March 30, 2023 @ 3:02 pm
Karen, Gene and I were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We always had such a good time at the horse shows. Bill was such a Good Sport!
April 7, 2023 @ 2:22 pm
Karen, so sorry for you and family. May you always cherish the good times and never dwell on the times of grief that fall into every life. Just learned the news for the first time reading Missouri Bar Passings for March. Hundreds of us will mourn Bill’s loss in times to come, which is the only form of immortality that anyone can aspire to attain.
May 5, 2023 @ 9:43 am
Karen, Lauren and Clay, I just heard of Bill’s passing yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you cherish the happy times you had as a family!