A southwest Iowa native who was known for both his friendly attitude and his long walks is being remembered in his last home in southeast Nebraska. The funeral was recently held for 79-year-old William Perkins, who died in late November, about three weeks after being struck by a car near the intersection of 11th Street and Central Avenue in Nebraska City.
According to the Lincoln Journal-Star, residents called him “Walkin’ Willie” because of his daily 16-mile walk from Hamburg to Nebraska City to work or to pick up mail. Perkins often stopped in local stores and restaurants along the way. Local residents paid tribute to Perkins late last week by lining the funeral procession in both communities.
By Mike Peterson, KMA, Shenandoah