William Lesley “Les” Perkins

William Lesley “Les” Perkins

William Lesley Perkins, 78, of Newport News, Va., passed away on Thursday, 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, Ala.
Les graduated from Sulligent High School in 1965, at which time he entered University of Alabama and joined USAF ROTC. In 1969, he graduated with a B.S. 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 F-4, instructing in the T-37 and T-38 aircrafts and serving as a pilot instructor. During this time, he also earned an M.S. in management from Troy State University (1978). Les retired as a lieutenant 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 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, Clara, Chloe, Isaac, Noah and Lily; great-grandchildren, Zoe and Phoebe; and siblings, Louie, Sheila, Vanessa and Jon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lue deen and grandson, Douglas.
Les will be remembered for his great love of gathering family and friends and for how he shared with them his passions for food, cooking, grilling, flying, sports, storytelling, yard work, woodwork, travel and his alma mater (“Roll Tide”).

Paid for by family