Billy Allen Perry ”1951 - 2010”

Tsu-ka-we

"Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best of men. Death will come, always out of season. It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. What is past and what cannot be prevented should not be grieved for misfortunes do not flourish particularly in our lives - they grow everywhere." ~ Big Elk - Omaha Chief

Billy Allen Perry, the son of the late Billy Clayton Perry and Joyce Ann WhiteCrow Perry, passed away early Sunday morning after a short illness. He was 59 years old. He was born on January 9, 1951. Two of his brothers preceded him in death: Casey Clayton Perry, who died serving his country in Vietnam, and Michael Joe Perry, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Ardis Ann Perry, of the home. He is also survived by two sons and a step daughter: Dr. Matthew David Perry and his wife, Amy, of Corpus Christi, TX, Micheal Allen Perry of Joplin, MO, and Franki Neely Bunce of Miami, OK; three grandchildren: Matilyn Jade Perry, Eliot Matthew Perry, and Journey Danielle Nicole Bunce; three brothers and four sisters: Jeffrey John Perry, Scott Garrett Perry, Steven Max Perry, Tony Gale Raishart and her husband, James, Lisa Gaye Spano and her husband, Tom, Ginger Aleen Heatherly and her husband, Lindon, and Dolly Ann Pewitt and her husband, Doug; an uncle, several aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and numerous friends. Mr. Perry was born in Talihina, Oklahoma. During the late 1950s, his family moved to the Los Angeles, California area. In 1969 he graduated from Bell Gardens High School. Growing up he played football and baseball. After moving back to Oklahoma in 1979, he worked on the Indian Action Team. In 1983 he earned his Associates degree from NEO A&M College. He then took a position at the Seneca-Cayuga Housing Authority where he worked for 18 years, first as the Deputy Housing Director and then as Director. During his tenure with the Housing Authority, he also began a career in Indian gaming that spanned 23 years. He worked as a Bingo caller at the Seneca-Cayuga Bingo Hall, after which he accepted a position at Bordertown Bingo and Casino. At Bordertown he worked his way up, holding positions as Bingo caller, Assistant Manager, Manager, and finally Director of Marketing. Family and friends knew Mr. Perry by several names: Allen, Billy, B.A., Big Al, B.A.P., Baby, Baby Love, and Al man to name a few. The name of his that he was proudest of, however, was Tsu-ka-we (the Crow), a family name stretching back five generations. He was involved both in the Native American and the outlying four-state communities. He was a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe and the Chickasaw Nation. He served several terms on the Grievance Committee for the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe; he was a member of the Promenade Indian Club; and he was a clan father for the Tribal Efforts Against Lead (TEAL) Project. He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and proud of the more-than-sixteen years of sobriety that he maintained until his death. He was an avid runner and a mediocre golfer but he liked golfing anyway, especially with his sons. He loved his family and friends, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and Greencorn. He was a believer in the Longhouse ways. His body will lay in repose at his Miami home, 2041 B. N.E. Graveside services will be held at Council House Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14th. Allens brothers and nephews will serve as pallbearers, and his sisters will serve as honorary pallbearers. All friends and family are welcome. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Paul Thomas Funeral Home Resource: Maimi News-Record (Sept. 2010)

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