- Date Of Birth: September 9, 1944
- Date Of Death: November 13, 2020
- State: Illinois
William Edward “Bill” Porter Sr., 76, of Jacksonville, IL died Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at his home.
He was born Sept. 9, 1944, in Hannibal, MO, the son of David and Geneva Seals Porter. He was married to Nancy Marie Edwards and she survives in Jacksonville.
He is also survived by his son, William (Tina) Porter Jr. of Kansas City, MO; his daughter, Valencia Porter of Elizabethtown, NC; five grandchildren, William Porter III and Alexandria Porter, both of Kansas City, MO, and Jacquette Porter, Dwayne McDowell Jr., and Xavia McDowell, all of Elizabethtown, NC; three great grandchildren, William Edward Porter IV, Brylen Porter, and Jahkeem McDowell; one brother, David (Paula) Porter Jr. of Upper Marlboro, MD; special caregiver, Stephanie Barnes; special friend, Lottie Baldwin; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Rosetta Newman, and Neva Thompson.
Mr. Porter was a 1962 graduate of Jacksonville High School. He then began his career in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2000 after 25 years of service. During that time, he began a 20-year career at the Jacksonville Correctional Facility and retired from there in 2002, with the rank of Lieutenant. He then drove a school bus for Jacksonville School District #117. He was a member of Mt. Emory Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. He was also a lifetime member of AMVETS and the VFW, had been a member of Jacksonville Jaycees, and was a member of the Moose, Elks Club, and American Legion. Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, and especially loved spending time with his family.
