CARBONDALE, Kan. – William “Bill” Eugene Porter, 77, of Carbondale, Kan., died Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the University of Kansas Health System, St. Francis Campus, Topeka, Kan. He was born Oct. 2, 1943, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of Vernie Arthur Porter and Mary Margaret (Whitcraft) Porter.

He was raised in Kansas and graduated from Highland Park High School, Topeka, with the class of 1961. Unable to join the United States Army for health reasons, Bill went to culinary school. He later began a career at Goodyear Tire & Rubber that would span 30 years before his retirement in 2001.

He was a member of ABATE of Kansas and enjoyed riding motorcycles, especially his Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail. He was always up for a family get-together where he could show off his cooking skills.

Bill is survived by his children, daughter Tracy Masters and husband, Scott, of Burlingame, Kan., son Paul Porter and wife, Lorri, Cimarron, Kan., and daughter Billie Richards and husband, Ron, Windsor, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two sisters, Sandy Porter and Beverly Bicknel, both of Topeka; and his beloved dog, Lilly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Tom Porter Sr.

Cremation is planned. The family will have a celebration of life service at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka, sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.