Wesley Perkins

Moline, Illinois
Wayne W. Perkins, Sr., 87, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at his home, with his family around him.
Cremation will take place under the supervision of Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. There will be private services at a later date.
Wayne Wesley Perkins, Sr. was born October 9, 1922, in Clinton, Iowa the son of Fredrick and Helen (Reimers) Perkins. He married Phyllis Stich in 1941, and was remarried May 10, 1962, to Rosemary L. Benadom.
Wayne served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a Second Lieutenant. Soon after, he worked as a radio broadcaster at KROS in Clinton, Iowa., for which he was inducted into the KROS Hall of Fame for his innovative broadcast shows in 1996.
Musically, Wayne played the stand-up bass, drums, guitar and harmonica and was a singer as a professional Musician from 1949 to 1982. After touring the Midwest in the early 60?s as a trio, Wayne and his wife returned to the Quad Cities and continued to perform professionally as the Rosemary-Wayne Duo from 1963 to 1982. They played dozens of venues and had one of the largest and most loyal followings in the area.
In 1971 he and his wife started a business of their own as interior decorators and upholsters. He retired from his work in 1983.
Wayne was an extraordinary craftsman and wood-worker, leaving behind many heirloom pieces over the years. His love for animals and nature showed in his many hobbies that he undertook throughout his life. He became very involved in computers and photography late in life, taking many pictures of his dogs, animals, flowers and landscapes; in his final years he picked up water-color painting as well.
An avid boater all his life, he grew up on the Wapsipinicon river and spent many a summer on the Mississippi river with his family. Some of his greatest pleasures in life were following his children?s musical careers and attending and listening to live music of all kinds. Wayne spent much of his retirement playing Billiards and Horseshoes, where he met and made many friends. His joy of the search for knowledge made him an avid reader throughout his life, and his favorite subjects were science and philosophy.
Of all the things he enjoyed doing best, besides seeing his family and grandchildren, my dad would walk sometimes for hours just looking and taking in the beauty of nature as he strolled through the neighborhood or down by the river.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rosemary; his children, Bradley and Andrea Perkins of Greenview, Illinois, Jeff and Lori Perkins of Lynnville, Tennessee, Greggory Perkins of Hampton, Illinois, Deborah Perkins of Clinton, New Jersey, Dianne and Ken Voltz of Elgin, Illinois, Alan Perkins of Destin, Florida, and Wayne Jr. and Donna Perkins of Andalusia, Illinois; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and a sister.
Wayne?s family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Clarrisa C. Cook Hospice House and Genesis Hospice, especially Bev and Rhonda, for their care and compassion.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Wayne?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.