William Russell Perry

William Russell Perry, 95, died June 22, 2007. He was born December 23, 1911, in Meridian, MS, the second son of William Thomas and Zula Rubush Perry. The family moved to Tampa when Russell was an infant and he lived there for 80 years before moving to Maitland, FL, and then to Fallbrook, where he lived for almost six years.

Russell was a graduate of University of Florida with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy during WWII and was a lifelong member of Egypt Temple Shrine and the Hillsborough Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and was a member of the ATO Fraternity. While in Tampa, Russell owned and operated Perry Paint and Glass Co., which had been founded by his father. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and was a member of both his high school and college golf teams.

Russell is survived by daughters Pamela Perry Stubbs, Fallbrook, CA, and Marilyn Perry Whiddon, Maitland, FL; grandchildren Charles Stubbs (Kathy), Paula Perry Malott (Sam), Randi Whiddon and Tracy Ball (Stephen); and great-grandchildren LeAnne Ball, Kellen Stubbs, Simone Stubbs and Jacob Ball. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marietta Graham Perry, infant daughter Paula and brother Dabney Rubush Perry.

A memorial service will be held in the fall at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa. No services will be held in California. His ashes will be scattered privately by the family.

Donations may be made to: The Methodist Children’s Home, c/o Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606, or to Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, c/o Egypt Temple Shrine, PO Box 22805, Tampa, FL 33622-2805.