Obituary for Wayne Perkey
Wayne Nelson Perkey, 84, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Baptist Health, after a battle with breakthrough COVID-19.
A native of East Tennessee, Wayne moved his family to Louisville, KY in 1969, where he became the morning man for WHAS Radio, a position he held for 30 years. He truly embodied the signature greeting he used to open his show: “Perkey in the Morning,” and was often referred to as the voice of Louisville. His love and zest for life endeared him to all who knew him.
Wayne’s charismatic personality was the magical adhesive for any community to which he belonged, most importantly his beloved city of Louisville. Some of his many contributions include serving: the Morton Center, Sister Cities of Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Rotary Club, and the recovery community. He cherished his role as host of the Crusade for Children for 20 years.
He is survived by his former wife and best friend, Jane Anne Perkey; his brother, Don Perkey; his five children, Rebecca Booth (Stephen Savage), Lady Booth (Ted Olson), Cecil Booth (Danny Sharp), Wayne Perkey (Annette Perkey), and Josh Perkey (ToriAnn Perkey); 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two nephews, and a niece.
A visitation will be held from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday, March 12, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Wayne’s memory to: WHAS Crusade For Children, 520 West Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202., online https://www.whascrusade.org/
A native of East Tennessee, Wayne moved his family to Louisville, KY in 1969, where he became the morning man for WHAS Radio, a position he held for 30 years. He truly embodied the signature greeting he used to open his show: “Perkey in the Morning,” and was often referred to as the voice of Louisville. His love and zest for life endeared him to all who knew him.
Wayne’s charismatic personality was the magical adhesive for any community to which he belonged, most importantly his beloved city of Louisville. Some of his many contributions include serving: the Morton Center, Sister Cities of Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Rotary Club, and the recovery community. He cherished his role as host of the Crusade for Children for 20 years.
He is survived by his former wife and best friend, Jane Anne Perkey; his brother, Don Perkey; his five children, Rebecca Booth (Stephen Savage), Lady Booth (Ted Olson), Cecil Booth (Danny Sharp), Wayne Perkey (Annette Perkey), and Josh Perkey (ToriAnn Perkey); 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two nephews, and a niece.
A visitation will be held from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday, March 12, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Wayne’s memory to: WHAS Crusade For Children, 520 West Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202., online https://www.whascrusade.org/