William Porter

William Arthur Porter lll passed away peacefully on August 28th 2022. ‘Bill’ was born September 28th, 1939, the beloved first-born child of William Arthur Porter Jr. and Ruth Hanson Zieske in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Bill grew up in Edina, Minnesota and resided in Bloomington, Minnesota for 40 years before permanently relocating to his ranch in Newcastle, Wyoming. In the interim, he spent over 20 years in his weekend home on Kabekona Lake in Walker, Minnesota.

As a youth, he attended The Blake School, graduating in 1957 and matriculating to the University of Minnesota where he joined the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and later graduated in 1961 with a degree in Business.

A born salesman, Bill worked for Sears & Roebuck department stores in Minneapolis through high school and college. Afterwards, with the help of his father-in-law, he started Win Stephens Leasing Company, later Autoporter Leasing Services.

An avid outdoorsman, fisherman and small game hunter, Bill supported Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and the NRA.  He spent over 40 years hunting pheasants in South Dakota at the Schaller Farm Classic and made numerous big game hunting trips to British Columbia.

In the summers, you might find Bill on the golf course. In the winters, Bill was often skiing with his kids and their friends in the “UP” of Michigan.  Later in life, Bill spent many winters relaxing in Puerto Vallarta, MX where he had grown to love the weather, culture and cuisine.

Perhaps Bill’s greatest joy was hosting his family and friends at ‘The Ranch,’ in WY for Thanksgiving or Spring turkey hunts where food, sport and good fun were had by all.

A superb home chef, restaurant enthusiast and proclaimed ‘foodie,’ Bill was a member of the Epicurean Society of Minneapolis.

All his life, Bill knew what he liked and pursued it with great passion and gusto. He had devoted lifelong friends and family that adored him and with whom he loved to share in his adventures and interests. His generous spirit was matched only by his unyielding zest for life and all its pleasures, a spirit that kept him fighting far beyond the point where others would have quit.

He will be remembered by those who loved him with a bowl of ice cream, a deck of cards (sure to beat yours) over the cribbage board, and by his knowing, mischievous grin.

Bill’s family would like to thank the considerate staff at Weston County Health Services for their extraordinary care during his time there.

Bill is proceeded in death by parents William Arthur Porter Jr., and Ruth Hanson Zieske, his son Winston Troy Porter and granddaughter Sarah Mae Sollars.

He is survived by Denise Porter; daughter Wendy Porter Oldiges; son William Arthur Porter IV; grandchildren Katherine Van Dell (Sebastian Clarke), Osiris Porter and Pace Porter; grand-son-in-law, Mark Sollars; great grandchildren Charlie, Beatrice, Margot, August and Ivy Clarke;  sister Pamela Studer of Omaha, NB; nieces and nephews and dear friend Janet Terry.

A Celebration of Life will be held later at his ranch in WY.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Support for Addiction Recovery at https://rageagainstaddiction.org/ . Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY, 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online www.meridianmortuary.com.