William Pike “Bill” Porter, 87, of Danville, died Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born Sept. 27, 1935 in Lewis County, Mo., he was the son of James "Pike" and Ruth Cary Porter.
He graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1953, and on Dec. 23, 1956, he married Jeanita “Sally” Croson in Morning Sun.
Mr. Porter lived a life of service and dedicated himself to changing his community through direct action. A longtime Democrat and member of West Hill United Methodist Church, he served on the Danville City Council for 15 years, volunteered on the Danville Fire Department for 28 years, and both coached and umpired for Danville Little League baseball games for countless years. His passion for workers’ rights led him to serve as a founding member of the UAW 807 retirees, where he was the first recording secretary. Bill ran the Danville Farm Service Station and worked for 20 years at J.I. Case Company. He loved bowling and traveling, grilled one heck of a hamburger, attended every event he could of his children and grandchildren, adored his wife, and will be remembered by his loved ones as a tender-hearted teddy bear who loved to tease.
Survivors include his wife, Sally, of Danville; one daughter, Lori (Dan) Waldron, of Woodbine, Ga.; one son, Tom (Annette) Porter, of St. Charles, Ill.; eight grandchildren Ashlea Hingst, Brandee (Zach) Elliott, James (Chieko) Knopp, Rachel Gunn, Jocelyn (Cass) Hornbaker, Bekah (Chris) Sandy, John (Sarah) Porter, Katie (Samuel) Foreman; one step grandchild Brian Waldron; sixteen great-grandchildren Raelynn, Elias, Nik, Robyn, Dylan, Juliet, Jordan, Alexis, Cole, Cal, Ruth, Nathanael, Malachi, Asher, Ainsley, Eleanor; five step great-grandchildren Martin, Kenze, Peyton, Bradley and Kace and his chosen brother, Jim Cary, of Danville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Rhonda Reeves, granddaughter Melissa Porter, and one infant sister.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Funeral Chapel. Services and inurnment will be at a later date at Long Creek Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for Danville volunteer fire department and the Danville library.
The greatest love story isn’t how Romeo and Juliet died, but how long Grandpa and Grandma were married.