WILLIAM "BILLY" PERILSTEIN

William (Billy) Perilstein

At age 89, passed away on May 20, 2023.

Devoted Husband to Marianne (Cookie Sall), and father to his children Linda Appelbaum (the late Joel), Robert and Nancy (Toll) Perilstein, Ronald and Jayne (Davis) Perilstein, and Margie Perilstein Wargon.

Proud Grandfather of Julie Mozes (Daniel), Matti Burnett (Max), Alex Perilstein (Erika), Samuel Appelbaum, Molly Appelbaum, George Perilstein (Tayarisha Poe), Elana Perilstein (Paiboon Chooklin), Jesse Wargon, Talia Wargon, and Ava Wargon.  Proud Great-Grandfather of Henry, Ari, Max, Rena, Miriam, Valerie, and Binyamin.  Billy was also blessed with adoring nieces and nephews.

Born in Philadelphia, Billy was the son of Rose and Nathan Perilstein, brother of Paul Perilstein (Adeline), Edgar Perilstein (Charlotte), Harold Perilstein (Florence), Charlotte Kirschner, and Betty Krestal (Larry), who predeceased him.  He was also the beloved brother-in-law of Roberta Sall and the late Betty Lou and Leonard Malmud.

He graduated from Overbrook High School, Class of 1951 and from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 1954 with a B.S. in Management, majoring in Engineering/Industrial Management.

Billy was devoted to Judaism not only through his philanthropy and daily prayers, but also by giving of his time to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and as past President and Board Member of Har Zion Temple and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (now Abramson Senior Care).  Billy received myriad accolades for his tireless involvement and leadership during his life.  Additionally, many of his deepest friendships had been nurtured by his charitable efforts with the Golden Slipper Club where he received the prestigious Gold Medallion Award.

In 1955, Billy joined the H. Perilstein Glass Company after honorably serving in the US Armed Forces.  The company was later sold to Chromalloy.  In 1978, he founded the Wm Perilstein Glass Company in Cherry Hill, NJ, later joining Allied Glass Industries in Clark Summit, PA as the Sales Manager until his retirement in 2017.

Billy was a humble and sincere person, the essence of goodness.  He believed that every man and woman was his equal, offering his sincere attention (as well as advice and assistance) and respecting their dignity.  Not only would Billy give you the shirt off his back, but he would make sure that it was cleaned and pressed.

Billy and Cookie traveled to Israel numerous times and once to Communist Russia, visiting with Jewish Soviet Dissidents while bringing suitcases of cigarettes, blue jeans, and prayer books – all highly prized commodities used to secure favors, food, and exit visas from the government.  In 1986, Billy and Cookie were with the Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky when he received word that he could leave Russia and emigrate to Israel.

Relatives and friends are invited to services on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 11:00AM at Har Zion Temple, 1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley, PA. Interment to follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose, PA. 

Contributions to honor and remember William Perilstein may be made to the Nathan and Rose Perilstein Fund at Har Zion Temple (harziontemple.org) or to the charity of the donor's choice.