William Bill Carl Porter

William Carl ""Bill"" Porter, 74, of Poplar Bluff passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Porter was born May 22, 1938 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and also attended The Bluff Church. Mr. Porter had retired as a Conductor after 44 years of service with Union Pacific Railroad. He was a 31-year member of the Elks Organization and their charities; served as Elks Exalted Ruler from 1993-1994, and 1998-1999; served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2003-2004; received Elk of the Year in 2010-2011; and was active with the Elks charity work at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Mr. Porter was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served with the 19th Military Police Company in Ft. Carson, Colo. He enjoyed spending time with his family, being active in the community and playing golf.

On Aug. 21, 1965, he married Jeanne Hays Bess in Broseley, Mo. She survives.

Other survivors include three children: Anita Duffy, of Piggott, Ark., and Todd Bess and Keith Porter (Angie), all of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren: Tara Duffy-Longo, Blake Duffy (Alesha), Shayna Duffy, Lindsay Porter, and Cassie Porter; three great-grandchildren: Ashton Clark, Carson McKinnie and Madison Duffy; mother-in-law, Mary Hays, of Poplar Bluff; three sisters: Pat Hunt, of Kerrville, Tex., and Betty Osborn (Jim) and Kay Sneathern (Jerry), all of Poplar Bluff; extended special family members: Daniel Burr, of Piggott, Ark., Joey, Stephanie and Kenzie Clark, all of Poplar Bluff, Jr. Hays (Karol), of Doniphan, Joey Hays (Jeanie), of Dyer, Tenn., Jerry Hays (Debbie), of Corning, Ark., and Janet O'Neal, of Little Rock, Ark.; brother-in-law, Stanton Irby, of Poplar Bluff; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents, James and Thelma Barber Porter, sister, Jean Irby, and brother-in-law, Luther Hunt preceded Mr. Porter in death.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. An Elk's Service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral chapel with the funeral service immediately following with his nephew, The Rev. Doug Osborn officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial be made to UCAN, 1419 Maud St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; Poplar Bluff PER's Elk's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 640, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902; or to Rayni Day Miracles, 47 Kyle Lane, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, in honor of Ashton Clark.