- Date Of Birth: August 9, 1945
- Date Of Death: February 24, 2016
- State: Idaho
Willie R. Perow died peacefully at home with his wife by his side on February 24, 2016 in Boise, Idaho from complications of diabetes. He was 70.
Willie was born on August 9, 1945 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Dolph and Ernestine (Johnson) Perow. He left Louisiana at age 18 to go to Los Angeles where he went to work for United Airlines, and eventually also served as Associate Pastor of Lockhaven Christian Lighthouse in Inglewood, CA. It was in Los Angeles he met and married his wife of nearly 30 years, Patrice. In 1989, he transferred with United to Washington Dulles airport in Fairfax, VA. He retired from United after 31 years.
Playing dominoes with his friends, fishing, and listening to music – especially jazz, blues and gospel were among Willie’s favorite pastimes. He also liked going to car shows; his favorite was Corvettes at Carlisle, the largest Corvette event in the world. When a crowd formed to admire his Corvette that wasn’t part of the show, it put a smile on his face. Friends and family knew him as an accomplished chef specializing in Louisiana favorites like fried catfish, collards, red beans and rice, fried green tomatoes and seafood gumbo. But he was really known for his baby back ribs, winning the top prize in the Soul Food Extravaganza rib cooking contest his first year in Boise and gaining the nickname the “Barbequetioner.” To his wife, family, and friends, he was a kindhearted man of strong faith who never had anything bad to say about anyone. He loved the Lord and his family.
Willie is survived by his beloved wife Patrice, son Johnny Perow of Topeka, KS and daughter June Malcolm of Seattle, WA; and his wife’s children Renee Grounds (Cathy Vance) of Meridian, ID and Jeff Grounds (Summer) also of Meridian, ID. In addition, he leaves behind six grandchildren – Jonesha and Javon Perow, Marc Chin, Brittany Anderson, Sage Smart and Ellyce Grounds. He is survived by three sisters – Ella V. Lee, Carolyn Perow and Margaret Lawrence (Ken) and two brothers – James and Charles Perow, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was especially close with nephews Hector Anderson and Morris Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents Dolph and Ernestine Perow, and sisters Jewell Farbs, Gwendolyn Hughes, Dorothy Tate, and Barbara Anderson.
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