Wiley James Perry the Third was born on October 8th in El Dorado, Kansas to Wiley James Perry, Jr. and Anna Mary Perry. He passed away on September 5th, 2026, in Pineville, Louisiana after his battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dora Perry; eldest child, Skylar; his son, Jim; his older sister, Jackie Bolton and her husband, Rush; his niece, Elizabeth Webb and her husband, Jonathan; great nephews, David and Daniel; as well as many other family members.
He was preceded in death by both his mother and father.
James, “his family called him Jamey” and was also affectionately known as JP by co-workers and his friends, he moved around a lot in his early life. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Natchitoches, where he attended high school all four years. He started college, but decided it wasn’t for him and dropped out, then decided to work with his dad in his security business.
He was described by those that knew him as a wild child in his youth and early adulthood, he traveled around a lot, experiencing life. During this time, he would say he felt the call of God for years but ignored it until an accident changed his life. He started going to seminary school to be a preacher for the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1990, he met Dora and asked her to a church function. She refused the first time, but the second time he asked in 1991, she said “yes”. What started was a whirlwind romance. They became engaged in March of that year and quickly tied the knot that July. Three and a half years later, they had their first child, Skylar, while he was preaching at Temple in Ringgold, Louisiana. Another three years later, they had their second and final child, Jim. Later that year, James and his family moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, where God called him to preach at Cane River.
He spent many more years in Natchitoches, becoming a volunteer fireman. In 2005, he went to New Orleans to help with the relief and cleanup after Hurricane Katrina. He made lifelong friends during this time. In 2007, God made yet another call, bringing James and his family to Deville, Louisiana, where he spent the rest of his life. He began preaching at Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Pineville, Louisiana.
Durinf his later years, he joined a motorcycle club, becoming the secretary. The other members became like a family to him. After a motorcycle accident in May of 2025, he fought to walk again and did it. Throughout his whole life, James was a fighter and hard worker. He will be immensely missed by those that knew and loved him, but we should take solace that he is now in Heaven with his Heavenly Father.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Kolin Hall Lodge at 119 Bonner Miller Rd. in Deville, Louisiana.