Louis Perkins
William Louis Perkins, born August 19, 1946, passed away July 24, 2026, just shy of his 80th birthday, following complications of dementia.
Raised in Hornersville, Missouri, in the Bootheel, Louis grew up alongside his four siblings Linda, Mary, Ginger, and Keith, spending summers picking cotton, eating watermelon, and helping support his family. Though only 5’7”, he was a standout on the basketball court and also loved playing baseball. He always said he would be 2” taller if he wasn’t so bow-legged.
Encouraged by his supportive mother, Edna, Louis attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, earning a bachelor’s in economics in 1968. His career plans were put on hold when he chose to serve his country; enlisting in the United States Navy. From 1968 to 1972, Louis proudly served aboard the USS Ranger aircraft carrier, where he earned the rank of Aviation Fire Control Technician Second Class and repaired radar systems on A-7 attack aircraft. He treasured his time training in California and spoke with pride about his service. Despite spending four years in the Navy, he never did learn to swim.
Louis returned to the University of Missouri with the support of the GI Bill, and by 1975 graduated with a second bachelor’s in business administration and finance. During this chapter of his life, while balancing classes and a house-painting job with his brother, Keith, he met the love of his life, Benita (Edelman) Perkins. The two were married in 1975 and built a life together in St. Louis, rooted in love, hard work, and family.
Louis began his professional career as a State Bank Examiner before joining Southern Commercial Bank, where he advanced steadily over more than three decades, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President before retiring. Louis quickly realized he wasn’t the traditional retiring type, so he went back to work part-time with the Chesterfield Parks Department where he delighted in mowing ball fields, talking with visitors, and being part of the parks team.
Louis valued his banking career and earned the respect of clients and colleagues alike, but the role he cherished most was being a father to his son, Steve, for whom he would do almost anything. One of their proudest shared achievements was building a historic fence in Faust Park to help Steve earn his Eagle Scout rank.
An active and curious man, Louis found joy in the outdoors. He loved road biking with his buddies every Sunday, watching cardinals gather at the bird feeder in his backyard, and traveling to see forests, mountains, and lighthouses. Louis and Benita were avid theater supporters and loved attending live performances in St. Louis and New York.
From the moment they were born, nothing brought Louis greater happiness than spending time with his beloved grandchildren, Nathaniel and Flora. Whether meeting them for a hike, cheering from the sidelines at a soccer or basketball game, or sharing his crowd-pleasing BBQ ribs around the table, Louis enjoyed simply being together with them.
Louis will be remembered as a kind and honorable man with a strong moral compass, quiet humility, and an unwavering work ethic. He led by example rather than by words, treating others with respect, integrity, and generosity. He never sought recognition, yet earned the admiration of so many who knew him. Those whose lives he touched are better for having known him.
In a final act of selflessness, Louis donated his brain to the Washington University Memory and Aging Project to advance research toward a future cure for dementia. He will be memorialized at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Linden and Edna Perkins, and his sister, Ginger Perkins. He is survived by his devoted wife, Benita Perkins; his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Meridith Perkins; his cherished grandchildren, Nathaniel and Flora; his siblings, Linda, Mary, and Keith; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will miss him deeply.
Service Details & Memorials
Family and friends will honor Louis on Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
Military Honors & Service: 1:30 PM at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (St. Louis, MO).
Celebration of Life & Visitation: 2:15-4:00 PM (with a short program at 2:25) at The Pavilion at Lemay (St. Louis, MO).
In lieu of flowers, Louis requested that memorial donations be made to the Washington University Memory and Aging Project.
My husband, Jim Petty and I always admired Lou. He was a great person to work with. And he truly was down to earth. This was such a great tribute to Lou and was very well written. While we will not be able to attend our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He truly was a good man and will be missed by all.
Jean Petty
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Louis Perkins, a wonderful coworker, supervisor, and mentor.
Lou’s impact on my life and the lives of so many others cannot be overstated. When my family immigrated from Bosnia, Lou was the one who helped my dad secure his first car loan. But his kindness didn’t stop there. He listened to my dad’s suggestion to hire a Bosnian-speaking employee at the bank, and because Lou took a chance on me, my 30-year career in banking began.
Lou was a phenomenal listener who was always genuinely interested in the people around him. He was a tremendous asset to the bank, but more importantly, he was a deeply good person whom I cherished as a mentor and a friend. By getting involved in the Bosnian community and opening doors for people like me, he truly changed my life and lives of many others for the better.
Unfortunately, I will be out of the country and unable to attend the services to say my final goodbye in person. However, I want his family and friends to know how profoundly he touched my life. He will be so deeply missed, and his legacy of kindness and inclusion will always be remembered.
Benita my heart is broken for you.
Louis was truly one of a kind! Such a kind and caring soul. I can still see him carrying his shoes back and forth to your Spin class. He absolutely adored you my dear friend. 💔
I attended Hornersville High School with Louis and graduated together in 1964. What I remember about him was his ready smile, his academic ability, his athletic ability and that he was ‘short’!😊😊. I always say that dementia seems to attack the very brightest among us!! My sincere condolences to my friend’s family!!
Oh, I am so sorry to hear of Louis’s death! Jim, Louis & I were friends in High School in Hornersville, MO. Our prayers🙏🏻 and love to his family (Linda, Mary Louise, & Keith🥰)
Lou was a great friend and banker. We enjoyed our lunches and banking conversations. He was a proud father and grandfather. He will be missed but remembered fondly.
Louis was a gentleman’s gentleman — steady, gracious, and the quiet backbone of Los GOBOS (Grumpy Old Bikers On Sunday). For years, I looked forward to seeing him almost every Sunday morning as we rode from St. Luke’s to Forest Park and back. Our ritual stop at BreadCo was non‑negotiable: coffee and a bagel for most of us, and a muffin for Louis. He was better than any TV weather forecaster at predicting whether or not our ride was on or off.
The July 4th ride through Webster, just before the parade, is such a good memory. We’d roll through downtown laughing and waving to the crowd as they waited for the real parade.
On our Wisconsin bike trips, Louis was always game for extra miles after the days regular ride ended and in the evening, he’d open his stash of wine as we all unwound from the day. In Columbia, MO, we rode century rides during the MS150 weekend. Around mile 80, we’d question our sanity for pushing to 100 — and then we’d do it again the next year.
Through all those years of biking, I had the good fortune to meet Benita (the best spin instructor), then Steve, then Merideth, then Nathaniel and Flora. Louis connected us all to his family and with each other. He enriched every one of our lives simply by being who he was.
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
My condolences to the Perkins family. I worked with Lou at Southern Commercial while I was in school.
While I’ll be away from my office at JB on 8/26 serving veterans in Indiana as part of my current job in VA, my prayers will be with you.
May he rest in peace. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Louis was a positive force and somehow seemed to touch the lives of those of us that were fortunate to cross paths with him. Indeed, my life was better knowing Lou and spending years working and riding with him. I’m a slightly different from having been so lucky to spend a good portion of my career (and his) working together. He unselfishly taught and softly encouraged me to an improved banker and, more importantly, a better person. He taught quietly by his example.
We’ve lost a good friend, but on a very tangible level, his enthusiasm for living remains with us.
I am very sorry to hear of the death of one of my best friends from Hornersville. Louis was one of the funniest, friendliest, and nicest people I have ever known. We were teammates in basketball from grade school thru high school, and baseball from little league thru high school.In school, he was very popular having been chosen as class vice-president, class favorite, and senior class president. Louis was well liked by his classmates, students in other grades, and teachers who selected him for boys’ state his senior year. I have many good memories of our times together. Our senior year, Louis and I spent many a saturday night cruising around Senath looking for girls. My condolences to the Perkins family.