William "Bill" Perryman peacefully passed away on December 16, 2021.

Born on April 13, 1946 in Belleville, Illinois, Bill spent 75 years creating a deep network of friends, colleagues and loved ones.

When he was just a teenager, Bill started his long career at Pete Gaerdner's Funeral Home in Belleville, IL and worked his way to an ambulance attendant. He earned his EMT designation and ultimately his paramedic license, becoming one of the first in the state to achieve the credential. His career path also introduced him to his favorite emergency room nurse, Barbara, who would become his bride of 54 years. As Gaerdner's discontinued the ambulance service, Bill finished his career at MedStar Ambulance until his well-earned retirement, caring for the community for more than 3 decades.

Bill believed in supporting his community in other ways as well. He served on numerous civic and school committees including decades on the St Clair Township Street Lighting district. He held many leadership roles in the East Side Volunteer Fire Department over the years, where he proudly still answered to the title of "Chief".

He enjoyed road trips, visiting ports of call on cruises, and his favorite destination of all, Walt Disney World. From the time he was just a boy, he was a Disney fan and was known to get misty-eyed when he watched the fireworks over the castle.

Whether you knew him as Bill, Billy or Chief, his favorite roles were husband, dad and grandpa. He leaves behind his devoted wife and partner, Barbara (nee Edwards), and children Margie and Tim Poe and Kathy and Paul Winn, grandchildren Sara (Tara) Keiner, TJ Poe, Isaac Winn and Levi Winn. He also leaves behind loving siblings which he helped raise including brother Fred (Janet) Perryman, Connie Clutter, and Bernie Perryman (Keith Ulrick). As a man of deep faith, we know he was welcomed into heaven by those that went before him.

A celebration of his well-lived life will take place Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 12pm to 3pm at East Side Volunteer Fire Department, 3111 East B Street Rd, Belleville, IL 62221

"Life is beautiful. It's about giving. It's about family."- Walt Disney. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Brett's First Responders, an organization providing support to fallen off-duty first responders and their families in honor of Chief Bill Perryman.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, IL