Leo William "Bill" Perry Jr.

Leo William (Bill) Perry, Jr., 80, passed away on August 27,2026 after a 16 year battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was born on May 8,1946 at Erie Army Depot, LaCarne, Ohio to Leo William, Sr and Esther (Keener) Perry. Bill was a life-long resident of Catawba Island. He was a 1964 graduate of Port Clinton High School and a 1968 graduate of Ohio University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He married his high school sweetheart, Reneé Worthington, on September 16, 1967. After college, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy as an Ensign and pilot. Following completion of his service in the Navy, he spent the next 32 years working for General Motors. He had a love for hunting and fishing and served as a charter fishing captain for many years. After retirement, Bill was a proud member of the Zenobia Shriners Road Runners team, transporting children and their families to Shriners Hospitals for treatment. He and Reneé were able to enjoy fifteen cruises sharing a love for adventure before becoming snow birds, wintering in Florida.

Bill was a member of the Port Clinton Yacht Club, American Legion Post 113, Oliver H. Perry Masonic Lodge 341, Zenobia Shriners, and Port Clinton Elks Club 1718, where he was a Lifetime Member. His proudest accomplishment was being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was always willing to help out his friends and kept a watchful eye for them which lead to the rescue of a couple of his friends due to the ice and fog on the lake. His love of the lake and Catawba lives on through his family as he thought there was no better place during his travels.

He is survived by his wife, Reneé, daughter Michele (David) Knight, sons Gregory Perry and Todd (Annette) Perry, grandchildren Katie Knight, Caleb Perry, and Noah Perry, and sister, Donna (James) Moore.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo William Perry, Sr. and Esther (Keener) Perry, his sister Carol (Perry) Frederick, and brother-in-law Richard Frederick.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Friday, September 11th from 1pm to 3pm at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio, with a Masonic Service beginning at 3pm. There will be a ceremony celebrating his military service at Catawba Island Cemetery following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Children's Hospitals by phone at 888-708-4011, online at donate.shrinerschildrens.org, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607.