AHOSKIE, NC – John Willard Perry, age 82, passed away on September 8, 2017 at Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, NC.

Mr. Perry was born in Hertford County on January 5, 1935, a son of the late Willie and Maris Tinkham Perry.  Johnny enlisted in the Army on April 21, 1953 and received his GED through the Army. He trained at Fort Campbell, KY and in Jump School at Fort Benning, GA. Perry served with the 11th Airborne, 101st Airborne, and 4th and 9th infantry divisions. In 1955, Johnny was deployed to Germany. He was awarded the AOM, the NDSM, the Good Conduct, and other medals and ribbons.  His 22 years (11 active and 11 National Guard) in service to his country were all memorable. He was discharged as SFC at Ahoskie, NC.

Johnny worked as a shift clerk foreman in the sheet finishing department for Union Camp in Franklin, VA until his retirement in 1995.  After retirement, John worked for Piggly Wiggly in Ahoskie. John married his soul mate, Rose Nell Dilday, in October of 1973.

Besides his wife, John is survived by his three daughters, Ina Perry Bell and husband, Jeff of Jarrett, VA,, Linda Aswell Chamblee and husband, Davidson of Ahoskie, NC, and Ruth Aswell Davidson and husband, Ernie of Colerain, NC; ten grandchildren, Dawson Dunlow, Jon Williamson, Blake  Bell, Cody  Bell, Steven Williamson, Jack Chamblee, Will Davidson,  Kylene Williamson, Wanda Phillips, and Lee Ann Lloyd; seven great-grandchildren, Cole Phillips, Harper Lloyd, Allie Phillips, Kaley  Chamblee, Sadie Davidson, Jonas Chamblee, and Lucas Lloyd; and three special nephews, David  Harrell of Arden, NC, Lee Harrell of Fletcher, NC, and Kevin Dilday of N. Myrtle Beach, SC.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 11:00 am at Hickory Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church, Ahoskie, NC, with the Rev. Mike Williams and Rev. Jim Skipper officiating. Burial will follow in Ahoskie Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends at the home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made directly to Cragmont Assembly, Inc, 1233 North Fork Road, Black Mountain, NC, 28711; or to the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 249, Middlesex, NC, 27557-9900; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search, then type John Perry.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Perry family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.