[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 174 (Friday, November 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. WILFRED GEORGE PERKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 1, 2019

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Mr. Wilfred George Perkins, a cherished family man, business owner, 
and faith leader. Mr. Perkins, a lifelong Colorado resident and pillar 
of the Pikes Peak region passed away on October 19, 2019, at the age of 
ninety-one.
  Will was born in Montrose, Colorado. After graduating from Colorado 
College in 1949, he married the love of his life, Bessie Lea Hastings, 
in 1950. Their remarkable sixty-nine years of marriage produced 
children, Pamela (Ted) Walker, Tom (Cheryl) Perkins, Karen (Jeff) 
Sheets, and Sandra (Bentley) Tate, along with fourteen grandchildren 
and eighteen great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Perkins was a second-generation automobile enthusiast and 
salesman. Will owned and operated Perkins Motors from 1958 to 1985. He 
also served two terms as the president of the Chrysler National Dealer 
Council. Will was highly regarded in the business world. He was a role 
model for his peers and community leaders around the state and the 
nation. Even competitors admired Will's humble attitude and spiritual 
consistency. Upon retiring, Mr. Perkins passed the family business on 
to his son, Tom, and later his grandson, David.
  Will's public testimony to the power of the Gospel was bold, clear, 
and compelling. If there was one thing that Will hung his hat on, it 
was that he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He wanted people 
to know about the life they could have if they would open up their 
hearts to the Lord. He generously supported numerous ministries, 
including: The Navigators, Young Life, Springs Rescue Mission, 
International Students, Inc., and Focus on the Family. Will and Bessie 
attended Village Seven Presbyterian Church for forty-seven years. Will 
faithfully sang in the church choir and encouraged fellow believers to 
become engaged in their communities, whether it be politically or 
spiritually.
  Mr. Perkins truly made the culture of the 5th Congressional District 
as beautiful as our natural surroundings. The Colorado Front Range has 
lost a Christian statesman, but we will benefit from Will's legacy for 
generations to come.

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