Bill Perkins has been a car doctor for 52 years. In 1974, while working as a mechanic at Fort Carson, he decided to launch his own auto repair business. He built a garage for his new business on his land in Falcon and, in honor of prairie life, appropriately named it Windy Hill Auto Repair.Working full time and starting a business is a formidable task. After returning home from his day job at the base, he worked on cars all night and every weekend. “That’s all I’ve done since I was kid,” Perkins said.Many of Perkins’ customers would not trust their auto repairs to anyone else. “If you do a good job, are honest and trustworthy, your customers will come back and recommend you to others,” he said.In 1986, Perkins retired from Fort Carson and opened his business full-time. Today, Perkins said he’s “cut back” on his hours and partially retired, although he’s 71 years young.Perkins works on all types of cars and trucks except diesel, and prefers repairing or replacing alternators, starters, brakes, electrical problems, etc. “I don’t do engine work, air conditioning or auto transmissions anymore,” he said.And there are two other businesses to consider.Although Bill and his wife, Mary Ellen, are, as they say, “semi-retired,” they run two other businesses besides Windy Hill. Bill Perkins owns a Coast-to-Coast Carports dealership. He sells an 18 ft. by 21 ft. carport for $795, which includes delivery and installation. “I also sell a heavy-duty, weather-certified carport for $200 more,” Perkins said. “They look nice and are extremely useful for those of us on the eastern plains.”Mary Ellen Perkins markets Bugz-Eye® no focus magnifiers. “They are made by a man in Denver, and we sell them at crafts and gun shows, and to a local doctor and the Deaf and Blind School,” Perkins said. Mary Ellen Perkins is legally blind, so they keep several of the magnifiers, which come in varying sizes and styles, in their home for easy reach. “It’s not a great money maker but they make life easier for those of us with vision problems,” Perkins said.Born in Washington, Perkins has spent most of his life in Colorado. Mary Ellen Perkins is a native Coloradoan. The two met in Pueblo and married in 1959. Their three children, now adults, all graduated from Falcon High School.Since they built their Falcon home in 1972, they’ve witnessed many changes. “I guess having some stores out here is good for the new folks,” he said. However, he quickly added, “I prefer the wide open spaces.”Although Bill and Mary Ellen Perkins are, as they say, “semi-retired,” they run two other businesses besides Windy Hill. Bill Perkins owns a Coast-to-Coast Carports Inc. dealership. He sells an 18 ft. by 21 ft. carport for $795, which includes delivery and installation. “I also sell a heavy-duty, weather-certified carport for $200 more,” Perkins said. “They look nice and are extremely useful for those of us on the eastern plains.”Mary Ellen Perkins markets Bugz-EyeÆ no focus magnifiers. “They are made by a man in Denver, and we sell them at crafts and gun shows, and to a local doctor and the Deaf and Blind School,” Perkins said. Mary Ellen Perkins is legally blind, so they keep several of the magnifiers, which come in varying sizes and styles, in their home for easy reach. “It’s not a great money maker but they make life easier for those of us with vision problems,” Perkins said.With three businesses, there isn’t a whole life of time left for that semi-retired life, but the Perkins occasionally travel to Nebraska to visit family (they have 10 grandchildren, too) and once a year they attend a country music festival. It’s our “four days of relaxation,” Mary Ellen Perkins said.Call Bill and Mary Ellen at 683-3503 if you need a car repair, a carport or a magnifier.
