William “Bill” K. Porter was born on May 20, 1934, in Memphis, Tenn., to Samuel and Juanita Porter. He died in Elma, Wash., on July 8, 2017, at the age of 83.

Bill attended high school in Louisville, Ky., and shortly after graduating in 1954, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving until he retired in June 1974.

Bill married Air Force nurse Bernice Day of Elma, Wash. on Jan. 25, 1958. She survives him at the family home in Elma. He is also survived by sons David (Sue) Porter of Montesano, Wash. and Daniel (Julianna) Porter of Forest Grove, Ore. and daughters Elizabeth (Paul) Philippi of Sherwood, Ore. and Debbie Daniels of Olympia, Wash., as well as 10 grandchildren and extended family in Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his mother Juanita, his father Samuel and his beloved stepfather John Beams. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill worked for Day Motors in Elma as a bookkeeper for 17 years.

You could always count on Bill to have a smile on his face and making people laugh. He enjoyed slow-pitch, bowling, watching sports and vacation cruises with his wife.

Bill was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Elma. A memorial service will be held for him at Bethany Baptist Church in Elma, Wash. on Sunday, Aug. 6, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to Bethany Baptist Church.