William E Perry, Sr.

William Ernest Perry Sr., age 98, passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2024.

William was born on November 12, 1925, in Montclair, NJ, to Sophie (nee Nees) and Edwin Perry. He lived in Glen Ridge, NJ with his younger sister Emily Perry growing up, but by age 14 years old, he spent most of his time in Butler, NJ, working for his mother’s brother, Ernst Nees who owned Nees Bakery and also Valley Spring Lake. Bill learned the baking trade from his uncle and spent 44 years working in that industry.

As a young man, he enlisted in the Navy in 1943, during WWII at the age of 17 years old. He received his 4-month Navy schooling in Washington DC Navy Yard, then went to Virginia and Maryland for Amphibious and Gunnery Training and joined the Amphibious Force in the 7th Fleet. He served in the Pacific with invasions on the islands of New Guinea, Philippines, and Borneo where his crew were responsible for liberating Kuching, Borneo. He served aboard the Landing Craft Tank’s USS 1321 and the USS 1310 Staff Ship and earned two Battle Stars and the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer. He received numerous medals including American Theater Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal – 1 Star, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon – 1 Star.

Upon his return from military service, he resumed working for his uncle at Nees Bakery, and ultimately met the love of his life, Bernice Marion, whom he married in 1949. They built their life together in West Milford, NJ where they raised their 3 children.

With his wife Bernice, they owned and operated Nees Bakery in Butler and Riverdale, NJ from 1970-1985, which was a long-time family business they purchased from his uncle Ernst Nees. Nees Bakery was well-known for their quality baked goods and had been in business for over 65 years. Prior to owning Nees Bakery, they also owned Warwick Bakery, in Warwick, NY, during 1964 -1968.

Some of his many accomplishments included making a birthday cake for entertainer Bob Hope, for his 76th birthday, and also having as a customer and friend, Doc Severinsen, bandleader of the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. While owning Warwick Bakery, he created a huge 100-pound Centennial Birthday Cake for the celebration of Warwick’s Centennial Anniversary. Memories of this event were put into a time capsule to be opened 50 years later in 2017.

William’s accomplishments also included being a West Milford Twp. Special Police Officer for 33 years. He joined the force in 1953. Early in this career, he and Chief John Moeller started the first 12 pm to 8 am shift. He was also a Civilian Defense Police Officer. He was part of the early police force in West Milford, when there were only about 8 officers covering the entire township.

A member since 1946 of the VFW, he was a member of the Bloomfield, NJ group and a Charter Member of the Bloomingdale, NJ VFW. Other memberships included the Butler and Riverdale Business Associations, and the Butler Rotary Club. He is a Plank Owner at the US Navy Memorial in Washington DC, and also received an honorary Silver PBA Card from the Riverdale, NJ Police Department.

William was married for 63 years to Bernice Marion Perry who predeceased him in March 2013.

He is survived by two of their three children, Gail Perry Grinkevich and Donna Perry Kajor. His son, William E. Perry Jr. recently passed away in January 2024.

The extended family includes Gail’s two daughters, Elizabeth Grinkevich and Alexandra Grinkevich Fellema and her husband Michael and their daughter Amelia. Donna’s husband Ronald Kajor and their daughter Kimberly and her husband Steven, and Kevin W. Kajor (deceased 2014), and William E. Perry Jr.’s son, William Ernest Perry, III.

William had a long and successful life and enjoyed his family, many friends, and his business ventures. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. A graveside service will be held at 12:30pm, also on Saturday, at St. Joseph Cemetery, 454 Germantown Rd, West Milford, NJ. Burial will immediately follow the service.