Ed Perkins

Ed Perkins, 83, of Hillsboro passed away Friday, February 22, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Sunday, February 24th, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.

On October 9, 1929, Ed was born in Hattiesburg, MS to Edward Durham, Sr. and Myra (Roberts) Perkins. In his youth, he lived throughout the South before graduating from high school in Tupelo, MS. He served a tour in the U.S. Navy shortly after high school and then earned his BS degree from Mississippi State University.

Following school, he worked for the National Cotton Council for a few years before joining E Systems where he was a field engineer. In his over 20 years of service with E Systems, he worked in such places as Thailand, Viet Nam, United Arab Emirates, Rome and Alaska on defense department projects.

In 1972, he married Nell Smith Giles in Greenville. After their marriage, he owned and operated Lafayette Electronics in Tyler until returning to E Systems in 1979 where he would continue until his retirement in 1991. The couple retired to Milford in 1991 and moved to Hillsboro in 1994.

Ed had a variety of interests. He was a ham radio operator and often provided public services assistance in times of natural disasters, as well as monitoring for the Iditarod race during his time in Alaska. A licensed pilot, he thoroughly loved anything to do with flying. An avid outdoorsman, he was an active hunter and fisherman. He also included model trains among his hobbies.

He was a very active member of First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro was he was a devoted choir member. Ed was also a past member of the American Legion.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Betty Jones. Survivors include his wife, Nell Perkins of Hillsboro; three sons, Edward Perkins, III of Tupelo, MS, David Perkins and Bill Perkins and wife, Nidia, all of Dallas; two stepsons, Dan Giles and wife, Laurie of Milford and Kenneth Giles and wife, Cindy of Garland; five grandchildren, Valerie Perkins, John Thomas Perkins, Kenneth Giles, Jr., Mark Giles and Paul Finley; great-grandson, Daniel Giles; and brother-in-law David Giles and wife, Barbara of Houston.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Visitation

6:00 - 8:00 P.M. ,Saturday, February 23, 2013
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Hwy. Hillsboro, TX 76645

Funeral Service

3:00 P.M. ,Sunday, February 24, 2013
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Hwy. Hillsboro, TX 76645