William Howard "Bill" Porter passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, February 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Known for his passion for music, the church, Southern cooking, his family, his strong work ethic, and his love of fresh homegrown tomatoes!—he was five months away from his 93rd birthday and 3-1/2 months from his next "tomato run", an annual favorite he enjoyed with his middle son Paul and grandson Jason, their wives and their children and grandchildren.

Born on July 15, 1930, to Lula V and Kelly Porter, Bill grew up in Eupora, a small town in northern Mississippi, with his three brothers Lloyd, Jessie "Gene", and Ralph, leaving home at 17 to join the Air Force. Originally stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, he met his first wife Nell, mother to their children Gene, Sandra, Paul and Alan. He served five years in the Air Force, at bases in upstate New York, Long Island, and Wichita Falls before settling in Texas upon discharge. In 1976, he married his love Annette Barnett Johnson, who he would spend the rest of his life with. He and Annette's greatest enjoyment was spending time with their families—including weekly phone calls with each of their children every Sunday, without fail, to stay in touch with their lives—and travel to the Smokey Mountains, celebrating 47 years of marriage and living out his days in Columbia.

Bill was a dedicated businessman and received multiple awards throughout his career, including repeated #1 in National Sales awards and induction into the Bryan Bros. Foods / Sara Lee Corporation (now Tyson Inc.) exclusive Million Dollar Club. His commitment to his work was so engrained that the number of sick days he claimed over his 67-year career could be counted on two hands. He enjoyed interacting with people and never met a stranger, and he was admired for always delivering above and beyond what was promised, and then some.

Bill instilled in his children a love of music, serving as song leader as well as soloist and a member of various quartets for his local Baptist church in the 1960's and inviting various rock and country music bands to the Porter home to record jam sessions on his reel-to-reel recorder, which he proudly acknowledged was the latest in recording technology at the time. His love of music, especially gospel music, continued throughout his life.

Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lloyd (Sally) and Ralph; son, Gene; and stepson, Danny. Bill leaves behind his wife, Annette Barnett Porter; daughter, Sandra; son, Paul (Samantha) and Alan (Robin); 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Paul Porter, Alan Porter, Jason Porter, John Porter, Mark Lumpkin, and Bobby Greer.

A visitation from 9:00 until 10:00 AM and a funeral service at 10:00 AM will be held at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, Mississippi, on Thursday, March 2, 2023 with interment at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb at 12:00 pm. A reception for family and friends will be held at the North Columbia Baptist Church fellowship hall following interment.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Friends and family may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.