William "Bill" B. Porter

William B. Porter, “Bill,” went home to be with the Lord on February 25, 2024 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease almost 3 years ago. He was born on October 24, 1940 in Jackson, MS to Virgil Ewing Porter of Bowling Green, KY and Eleanor McCuan Porter of Dresden, TN.

When Bill was 18 months old, his mother entered his picture in the annual Clarion Ledger Baby Photo Contest. “Billy Ben” was chosen from hundreds of entries. As the Grand Prize Winner, “Billy Ben” was featured in a fall page picture in the paper and $5.00 in war saving stamps.

Bill’s family moved to Newton, MS where his father was in the lumber business. Young Bill enjoyed his time fishing and hunting. His father owned prize winning Angus cattle that Bill often showed at the MS Livestock Exhibitions. Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts, too.

After living in Newton for many years, the family returned to Jackson in time for Bill to start school at Central High. He played on the baseball and football teams. Bill participated in ROTC and was chosen Cadet of the Week 2 years in a row by the Jackson Daily News paper.

Bill went on to graduate from Mississippi State University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. While at State, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was also in the Maroon Guard, which was an honor company of the Army ROTC Cadet Corps.

After graduation, Bill got a job with Mississippi Chemical in Yazoo City, MS. By now, he had a wife, Jane Moon, and a young daughter, Holly. It wasn’t too long before Bill took a job with Petro-Tex Chemical Corporation in the Houston area. Several years later, he was hired by Nipak Fertilizer Plant near Corsicana, TX.

Eventually, Bill moved to Memphis, TN in 1974 after being hired by WR Grace Company. He retired after 25 years in the AG-Chem Division. Bill continued doing consulting work for GRACE for 8 years until his second wife, Jerrie Salemi, got sick.

After Janie passed away, Bill moved back to Jackson, MS to be close to his daughter and grandsons, Austin and Harrison. He was so happy to have found a home only 2 doors away from his brother, Virgil Porter. They would walk over to visit each other on a daily basis. Since both lived on a back bay of the reservoir, they went bass fishing, riding on Virgil’s pontoon boat, or relaxing on the deck watching all the wildlife. Bill loved having his grandsons come over to fish off his deck and grill burgers.

Bill found love once again after meeting Pat Johnson in a popular manner—online. They married on March 15, 2015 and would have celebrated 9 years next month. Bill and Pat were members of Pinelake Church where they enjoyed being a part of the Double Blessings Sunday School Class along with his brother and sister-in-law.

What Bill loved the most was his family and extended family. He was proud of his grandchildren and came to watch Austin play in the band and in karate tournaments. He attended baseball and football games that Harrison was in. Bill enjoyed watching videos of his step granddaughter, Maddie, playing piano. Good times were had attending MSU football games with stepson, Chris Wicher, or Holly and Todd Rose. Bill was a True Maroon Bulldog and football season ticket holder. Hail State!

Bill will be dearly missed by all who loved him. We look forward to a joyful reunion in Heaven one day!

Bill is survived by his wife, Pat Johnson; daughter, Holly Rose (Todd); stepson, Chris Wicher (Cleo); grandsons, Austin Rose and Harrison Rose; step granddaughter, Maddie Wicher; nephew, Ray Jordan; niece, Jennie Jordan; niece, Pam Glover (Jeff); niece, Paige Whitman (Marcus); stepchildren, Ginny McCrary (Robert); Jeff Johnson (Berry); Patrick Johnson (Jennifer); Catherine Hicks (Brian) and more step grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Eleanor Jordan Golenpaul; brother, Virgil E. Porter, Jr.’ sister in law, Niece Haddad Porter; and wife, Jerrie Salemi Porter.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of The Arbor for their wonderful care of Bill. Also the kind people at Arden Hospice. Finally, to Pastor Tim Black, for being the familiar face that we needed to see at a very sad time. It was a God thing!

Services will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland with visitation starting at 1pm, followed by a celebration of Bill’s life at 2pm in the chapel.