Leland Wesley Perkins

Leland Wesley Perkins, 73, Nevada, passed from this life on Thursday, Dec. 29, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He was born on June 6, 1943, in Buckeye, Ariz., to O.D. and Ruby Jean Perkins.

Wes was raised in Clovis, Calif., and graduated there. Following high school he attended Fresno State University in California and graduated with a degree in Education, majoring in Spanish. Wes taught school near Fresno for several years before pursuing a career with U.S. Customs. He retired to the Nevada area in 2010. Wes was a member of the Church of Israel.

He is survived by three children, Jeffrey Perkins (Kristie), Springfield, Ill., Melissa Walker, St. Louis, Mo., Scott Perkins (Kristin), Bellflower, Calif.; six grandchildren, Jarrett Walker, Jeremiah Perkins, Bethany Perkins, Kristin Walker, Kalee Walker, Simon Perkins; two brothers, Barney Perkins (Virginia), West Lafayette, Ind., Jim Perkins (Leslie), Clovis, Calif.; one sister, Marquita Taylor, Rock Hill, S.C.; and nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Peggy, and a son-in-law, John.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at the Church of Israel in Schell City with Pastor Daniel Gayman officiating. Interment will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City. The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. on Monday morning at Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.

Memorials are suggested to Christian Appalachian Project in care of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, P.O. 64, Schell City.

The family requests that the funeral home be closed through the holiday. It will be open at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2.