William A. Porter

William A. Porter, age 81, of Geneva, OH and Ft. Myers Beach, FL, passed away on November 14, 2005, in the home of his daughter, Patty Wilson, in Memphis, Tennessee, after an extended illness with prostate cancer. He was born March 3, 1924 in Johnston, Ohio, to Paul and Frances (Shanks) Porter. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 59 years, Jane "Molly" Bingham Porter, of Geneva-on-the Lake, OH, and Ft. Myers Beach, FL; three daughters, Patty (John) Wilson of Memphis, TN, Billie (Douglas) Neuman of Niles,OH, and Linda (Jack) Foster of Long Branch, NJ; 8 Grandchildren; and 4 Great Grandchildren. Bill is also survived by a sister, Jean Garlock of Kinsman,OH, and a brother, James Porter of Kirtland,OH. Bill served in the U.S. Navy as a SeaBee in the Pacific during World War II. He owned Sport-Land Sporting Goods Store in Warren, Ohio from 1949 to 1954. He served as School Superintendent in Pymatuning Valley Schools in Andover, Ohio from 1955 to 1962, and Marlington Schools in Alliance, Ohio from 1962 to 1968. From 1968 to 1971 he was the College Dean and Business Administrator for United States International University in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Subsequently, he became the Superintendent of the Geneva City Schools in Geneva, Ohio from 1971 until 1979. After retiring in 1979, Bill organized Porter's Fun Bunch Band along with his wife,and enjoyed entertaining throughout the Ashtabula and Lake County area in Ohio in the summer, and in Ft. Myers, Florida in the winter. He was also an avid skier, duplicate bridge player, golfer, and tennis player. Bill and Molly's other great interest was travel. They cruised the Ohio River to the Mississippi in their houseboat, the intercoastal waterways to Florida,and the Trent-Severn canal between the Great Lakes. By air they traveled throughout the United States and Canada, piloting their own airplanes, 21 in all. The highlight of their travels was a trip "around the world in 80 days" in 1981. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2005 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Baumgardner Funeral Home, 8569 Main St., Kinsman, OH, with a graveside service to be held at 2:00 P.M. at Johnston Cemetery, St. Rt. 5, Johnston Township, OH. A memorial celebration of Bill's life will be held at the Kinsman United Methodist Church, 8362 Main St., Kinsman,Ohio, on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. Contributions can be made in Bill's name to your local school music program.

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