William Lesley Perkins

William Lesley Perkins of Newport News, Virginia, aged 78, passed away on May 28, 2026 at Riverside Regional Medical Center with his wife at his bedside.
Les was born on July 11, 1947 to Ralph and Lue Deen Perkins in Sulligent, Alabama and is survived by his wife Pam, as well as his children, Alvin (Lisi), Tammy (Mike), Stacey (Michael), Andy (Annie), and Alex (Alejandra), grandchildren (Anna, Sarah, Tony, Nina, Amber, Mikey, Isaiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Deborah, Hannah, Rebekah, Claira, Chloe, Isaac, Noah, Lily), great grandchildren (Zoe, Phoebe) and siblings (Louie, Sheila, Vanessa, Jon). He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lue Deen; grandson, Douglas, and brother, Jimmie.
Les graduated from Sulligent High School in 1965, at which time he entered the University of Alabama and joined USAF ROTC. In 1969, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a private pilot’s license. He entered the U.S. Air Force the same year and occupied numerous positions during his 24 year career, to include flying the F4, instructing the T-37 and T-38 aircrafts, and serving as a pilot instructor. During this time, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Management from Troy State University (1978). Les retired as a Lt. Colonel from his Air Force career and went on to complete a second career of 23 years as a government contractor coordinating the movement of aircraft.
Les will be remembered for his great love of gathering family and friends, and for how he shared with them his passions for food, cooing, grilling, flying, sports, storytelling, yard work, woodwork, travel, and his alma mater (“Roll Tide”).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, or to St. Jude’s Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Amory Funeral Home Chapel, with a graveside service to follow at 3:00PM at Albert G. Horton Jr. Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia.