Willie Perry: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Willie Perry interviewed.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Willie Perry]] | [[Image:Willie Perry interviewed.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Willie Perry]] | ||
[[Image:Willie Perry Batman.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Willie Perry as Batman with his Batmobile Rescue Ship]] | [[Image:Willie Perry Batman.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Willie Perry as Batman with his Batmobile Rescue Ship]] | ||
'''Willie James Perry''', also known as '''Batman''' or the '''Birmingham Batman''' (born [[ | '''Willie James Perry''', also known as '''Batman''' or the '''Birmingham Batman''' (born [[December 14]], [[1940]]; died [[January 24]], [[1985]] in [[Birmingham]]) was well-known for cruising around [[Birmingham]] helping stranded motorists and giving free rides in his customized 1971 Ford Thunderbird, dubbed the "[[Batmobile Rescue Ship]]". | ||
Perry lived at 702 [[Delta Street South]] in [[South Titusville]] | Perry lived at 702 [[Delta Street South]] in [[South Titusville]]. Since he was a teenager he worked at window distributor [[J. F. Day & Company]] in [[Lakeview]] where he assembled cast-iron furniture as well as door and window units. He was eventually promoted to shop manager. | ||
When making his rounds, Perry wore a white helmet with the bat logo and a white jumpsuit with brown trim. Friendly business owners sometimes helped him by donating gasoline and parts for his car. Mayor [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] honored Perry on [[August 3]], [[1982]], declaring it "Willie Perry Day" and presenting him with a proclamation thanking him for his service to the city. | Perry lived by the motto "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In addition to carrying gas, jumper cables and tools to help people whose cars had broken down, Perry gave free rides to people who had too much to drink, took elderly people to doctor's appointments and drove kids around to McDonald's or as entertainment for birthday parties. On at least one occasion Perry foiled an attempted robbery at a pharmacy. He always refused payment for his services. | ||
When making his rounds, Perry wore a white helmet with the bat logo and a white jumpsuit with brown trim. He accessorized with portable pagers and various tools worn on his utility belt. Friendly business owners sometimes helped him by donating gasoline and parts for his car. Mayor [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] honored Perry on [[August 3]], [[1982]], declaring it "Willie Perry Day" and presenting him with a proclamation thanking him for his service to the city. He praised the hero for being "one of the few people who disregarded himself completely in the name of others." | |||
Perry's heroics were featured in a [[1982]] episode of the television show ''That's Incredible!'', with several staged re-creations. Later, while in town rehearsing with his brothers for the "Victory" tour, [[Michael Jackson]] arranged to meet Perry and examine the famous Batmobile. | Perry's heroics were featured in a [[1982]] episode of the television show ''That's Incredible!'', with several staged re-creations. Later, while in town rehearsing with his brothers for the "Victory" tour, [[Michael Jackson]] arranged to meet Perry and examine the famous Batmobile. | ||
Perry | During a [[List of snowfalls|rare snowfall]] in January [[1985]], Perry assisted four University of Tennessee students stranded in the city. He found them a hotel room and, since they had only $7 between them, gave them $30 to pay for the room. A few days later Perry was working on his Rescue Ship in the small garage space behind J. F. Day. Either he closed the door to escape the cold, or it closed on him unnoticed. He was found dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. | ||
Perry was survived by his wife, Dorothy, and daughter Renee Perry-Hill. The City of Birmingham agreed to buy Perry's car for $15,000, eventually putting it on display at the [[Southern Museum of Flight]] and later at the [[Alabama State Fairgrounds]]. | |||
<!--The [[Birmingham City Council]] subsequently passed a resolution naming [[August 2]] "Willie Perry Day" in his memory.--> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_wsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1ikEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4402%2C4286331 Meet Birmingham's Batman]" (July 10, 1982) UPI | * "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_wsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1ikEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4402%2C4286331 Meet Birmingham's Batman]" (July 10, 1982) UPI | ||
* | * "[http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1985/Driver-Of-Rescue-Ship-Found-Dead/id-784c6d6e8523911e2158e336a253b9a5 Driver of 'Rescue Ship' found dead]" (January 25, 1985) Associated Press | ||
* Sanford, Peggy (December 20, 1994) "Sad days for 'Batmobile'." {{BN}} | * Sanford, Peggy (December 20, 1994) "Sad days for 'Batmobile'." {{BN}} | ||
* Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2004) "Birmingham's Batman helped those in need; His 'Rescue Ship' still survives." {{BN}} | * Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2004) "Birmingham's Batman helped those in need; His 'Rescue Ship' still survives." {{BN}} | ||
* Reynolds, Ed (June 30, 2005) "[http://www.bwcitypaper.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2005-06-30&-token.story=130575.112112 Runaway bridegroom]." ''Black & White'' | |||
* Archibald, John (March 24, 2009) "Holy Bat-memories, Birmingham." {{BN}} | * Archibald, John (March 24, 2009) "Holy Bat-memories, Birmingham." {{BN}} | ||
* Brown, G. W. (November 12, 2009) "I Remember the Night Batman Died". ''Herald-Citizen'' (Cookeville, Tennessee) | * Brown, G. W. (November 12, 2009) "I Remember the Night Batman Died". ''Herald-Citizen'' (Cookeville, Tennessee) | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Perry, Willie}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Perry, Willie}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1940 births]] | ||
[[Category:1985 deaths]] | [[Category:1985 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Superheroes]] | [[Category:Superheroes]] | ||
Revision as of 13:09, 6 September 2014
Willie James Perry, also known as Batman or the Birmingham Batman (born December 14, 1940; died January 24, 1985 in Birmingham) was well-known for cruising around Birmingham helping stranded motorists and giving free rides in his customized 1971 Ford Thunderbird, dubbed the "Batmobile Rescue Ship".
Perry lived at 702 Delta Street South in South Titusville. Since he was a teenager he worked at window distributor J. F. Day & Company in Lakeview where he assembled cast-iron furniture as well as door and window units. He was eventually promoted to shop manager.
Perry lived by the motto "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In addition to carrying gas, jumper cables and tools to help people whose cars had broken down, Perry gave free rides to people who had too much to drink, took elderly people to doctor's appointments and drove kids around to McDonald's or as entertainment for birthday parties. On at least one occasion Perry foiled an attempted robbery at a pharmacy. He always refused payment for his services.
When making his rounds, Perry wore a white helmet with the bat logo and a white jumpsuit with brown trim. He accessorized with portable pagers and various tools worn on his utility belt. Friendly business owners sometimes helped him by donating gasoline and parts for his car. Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr honored Perry on August 3, 1982, declaring it "Willie Perry Day" and presenting him with a proclamation thanking him for his service to the city. He praised the hero for being "one of the few people who disregarded himself completely in the name of others."
Perry's heroics were featured in a 1982 episode of the television show That's Incredible!, with several staged re-creations. Later, while in town rehearsing with his brothers for the "Victory" tour, Michael Jackson arranged to meet Perry and examine the famous Batmobile.
During a rare snowfall in January 1985, Perry assisted four University of Tennessee students stranded in the city. He found them a hotel room and, since they had only $7 between them, gave them $30 to pay for the room. A few days later Perry was working on his Rescue Ship in the small garage space behind J. F. Day. Either he closed the door to escape the cold, or it closed on him unnoticed. He was found dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Perry was survived by his wife, Dorothy, and daughter Renee Perry-Hill. The City of Birmingham agreed to buy Perry's car for $15,000, eventually putting it on display at the Southern Museum of Flight and later at the Alabama State Fairgrounds.
Gallery
Willie Perry
Perry chauffeuring Santa Claus in the Woodlawn Christmas parade. Photo by Jerry Smith
Willie Perry's autographed photo
References
- "Meet Birmingham's Batman" (July 10, 1982) UPI
- "Driver of 'Rescue Ship' found dead" (January 25, 1985) Associated Press
- Sanford, Peggy (December 20, 1994) "Sad days for 'Batmobile'." The Birmingham News
- Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2004) "Birmingham's Batman helped those in need; His 'Rescue Ship' still survives." The Birmingham News
- Reynolds, Ed (June 30, 2005) "Runaway bridegroom." Black & White
- Archibald, John (March 24, 2009) "Holy Bat-memories, Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Brown, G. W. (November 12, 2009) "I Remember the Night Batman Died". Herald-Citizen (Cookeville, Tennessee)
External links
- Batman of Birmingham (That's Incredible!) on YouTube
- Batmobile of Birmingham music video by The Footwashin' Rock Baker