2005 Inductee
Bill Perry is Deputy Director, Network Public Affairs at Oklahoma Educational Television (OETA), the public television network serving Oklahoma. In that capacity, he oversees production of two monthly documentary programs: Stateline (focusing on the issues and people and politics of Oklahoma) and Gallery (showcasing the arts and culture of the state), Oklahoma News Report programs, and other in-house productions of public affairs programs and specials. An Oklahoma native, Bill began his television career at KTEN in Ada – operating the station’s first color camera for the first locally-originated color program there in 1969. Moving to KOCO’s news team as anchor, producer, reporter and photographer, he then went on to Dallas, working both sides of the camera at KDFW. As News Director for WBBH in Ft. Meyers, he supervised field coverage for the launch of the first NASA Space Shuttle. During his time with WATE in Tennessee, he was one of 9 news directors to form the ABC News Directors Advisory Board to foster affiliate news services for the network. AP and UPI news awards followed.
Back in Oklahoma in 1986, Bill taught broadcast news at East Central University in addition to his television work at first KTEN and then KAUT. In 1990, he joined OETA as Field Bureau Manager, and quickly took over the reigns of the documentary department, garnering Emmys, Clarions, Auroras, NETAs and countless other regional and state awards. Bill consistently involves himself in helping the community in many ways: he and fellow members of the 1997 class of the Oklahoma City Police Academy adopted the motto “Ready to Help.” He works with the Christian Retirement Community raising funds and helping with promotional materials. For the past 10 years he has been an integral part of the Oklahoma City Gridiron Club political parody show, which helps raise money for Oklahoma Journalism student scholarships. Bill serves as a Regional Vice President of the Heartland Chapter Board of Governors and is president of the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters group.
Bill and his wife, Sue, reside in Edmond; his two children live in Texas.