William "Bill" Lawrence Perrigo

On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, William L. (Bill) Perrigo peacefully passed away at the age of 71 at his home in Cheyenne. Bill was born on June 4, 1948 in Billings, MT to Arch and Betty (Erickson) Perrigo, the oldest of three children. After growing up in Laurel, he served in the United States Army, Infantry. On September 5, 1970, he married Donna Bernhardt (now former spouse). In their early military years, they explored many corners of the world and settled in Rapid City, SD where their children grew up.
Bill loved camping and fishing in Montana, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Alaska. He tied his own flies and was known for his kind and gentle heart, and for many, that was the first thing they said about Bill. He was a kind man. He was great at card games and was often accused of cheating – probably because he was the scorekeeper. He loved animals and, on more occasions than can be counted, tried to call animals that do not come when called by whistling as if to call a dog – ducks, turtles, fish, you name it. He loved every sci-fi movie that ever was made. Luke Skywalker, James T. Kirk, and Lieutenant Starbuck were regulars in the Perrigo household. He was a man of faith and loved to sing in the choir. He loved that sunsets are blue and orange – “because God is a Denver Broncos fan.”
He will be known best of all for being a Papa. It was the most important thing to him on this earth and he was so proud of his grandchildren and grandpuppies. He kept track of every soccer game, band concert and gymnastics meet and knew all the stats on the opposing team. He was the loud grandpa on the sidelines.
He spent the last four years in Cheyenne where he dedicated his time volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne. It was his passion. It was more than delivering a meal – he learned the clients’ stories, knew their struggles and valued them.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Betty and several uncles, aunts and cousins. He is survived by his children: Erin (Shawn) of Cheyenne and their children Byson, Ava and Slade; Allison (Jon) of Anchorage, AK and their girls, Emelia and Evelyn; and Zachary (Missy) of Aberdeen, SD and their girls, Halle, Sarah and Lexi; his former wife, Donna Perrigo; and two brothers, John and Tom Perrigo.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 13th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on 1908 Central Ave at 10 o’clock a.m. All are welcome to join the family at a reception immediately following the ceremony at the new Cheyenne Frontier Days Headquarters Building. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne, 2015 South Greeley Highway, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007 . . . and hug your Papa.