William Porter

William “Mac” Porter, 91, passed away August 18, 2007. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Altoona Regular Baptist Church, 803 3rd Ave. S.W. in Altoona with burial at Rising Sun Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home with family present from 5-8 p.m.
Mac was born May 17, 1916 to William A. and Besse Rachel (Janeway) Porter in Mitchellville, IA. He studied business at 4-C’s College in Des Moines. Mac enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. After basic training, he married Margaret Eshelman in Santa Cruz, California on May 2, 1943. After the war ended, Mac and Margaret returned to Mitchellville where Mac farmed. They moved to another farm in Altoona where Mac continued to farm until he retired in the early 1980’s after Margaret died of cancer. Mac married Gladys Lane on February 25, 1984 and moved to Farrar. In 2000 they moved to Ankeny.
Mac was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved to spend time with his family. He helped his family with encouragement and financial support. He enjoyed telling stories about his time in the Coast Guard. He loved to play all kinds of games and was an expert ping pong player. He was well known for his elaborate practical jokes and his subtle sense of humor. Mac was a master farmer and won Iowa soil conservation awards for his farming practices. He loved the freedom he had working outside. Before Mac’s heart bypass surgery he accepted Jesus Christ by faith as his personal Savior to assure himself of a place in Heaven after he died.
Mac is survived by his wife, Gladys of Ankeny; sons, David (Pat) Porter of Centreville, Maryland, Paul (Mary) Porter and Mark (Bonnie) Porter both of Mitchellville; step-children, Sandy Lane of Des Moines, Mark (Gail) Lane of Farrar; sister, Mary (Charles) Thomas of Mitchellville; sisters in law, Esther Porter of Perry, Muriel Faulkes of Des Moines; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Mac is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret (Eshelman) Porter; and his brothers, Maurice Porter and Harry Faulkes.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the Altoona Regular Baptist Church – Building Fund.

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