William "Bill" Lee Perusek's Obituary
William Lee Perusek "Bill", 94, longtime resident of Gainesville, Florida, died January 3, 2025, at his home of natural causes.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 3, 1930, to William Joseph Perusek and Josephine. A younger sister, Carol, preceded him in death in 2008. His wife of 72 years, Anne, who was in hospice care, also preceded him in death just three months before his own.
He came to Gainesville with his family in 1971 after being transferred here by The General Electric Company, where he was employed for the duration of his professional working career as a Personnel Manager for GE manufacturing plants in Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida. His father, a machinist, also was a lifetime GE employee, as was Carol, an accounting office worker.
He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy after college as a Lieutenant Junior Grade on a Landing Ship Tank in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. He was a graduate of John Carroll University in Ohio, which he attended on a full four year basketball scholarship, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management.
He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gainesville. He derived great pleasure for many years participating in the local Catholic Charities projects and services of all kinds. He enjoyed tennis, golf, amateur genealogy, and attending a variety of sporting and social events over the years with his three children. That interest in their activities later included those of his grandchildren as well. Bill was a Florida Gators basketball and volleyball supporter and a longtime member of the Tip-Off Club.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim (Glen) Morris; two sons, Bill Perusek Jr. and Tim (MariAnn) Perusek; and five grandchildren: Harrison Perusek, Christopher and Daniel Morris, and Karis and Cole Perusek.
His memorable, joyful life is done, and well done. His extroverted personality was a delight for others to be embraced by who in many different ways came in contact with him, both in connection with his assorted community volunteering projects that he loved to participate in and also during his career. He believed, beyond any personal doubt, that there are far better things ahead for us than any that we leave behind when our allotted time here concludes. His words several years ago as he gracefully transitioned his way into older age were, “I know where I’m going.” What he taught his family especially about values, life principles, and concern for others he practiced himself, and the many examples we remember of that will glow and sing in our memories for all time.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Avenue, Gainesville.
His and Anne’s urns will be interred together in the Church’s columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Samaritan’s Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org
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