William Henry Porter, Jr.

William “Bill” Henry Porter, Jr., (age 70), of Mount Pleasant, husband of Kimberly “Kim” Collins Porter, died on December 29, 2024. Bill was born on March 12, 1954, to the late William H. Porter Sr., and Patricia Coleman Porter. He lived his formative years in a close-knit family in Winnsboro, SC. It was in Winnsboro on the same childhood street, that Bill first met Kim. He attended public schools there, including Winnsboro High, where he was a standout football player. Upon graduation, he started at Spartanburg Methodist College and later transferred to the University of South Carolina where he obtained a degree in Physical Education and a lifelong love of the Gamecocks. Bill and Kim were married in 1978 and eventually settled in Chapin, SC to raise their children.

Bill began his career as a tennis pro at Olde Providence Racquet Club in Charlotte, NC. He spent the next 28 years as a physical education teacher and tennis coach at Irmo High School near Columbia, SC, where his girls’ and boys’ tennis teams won numerous high school state championships. Coach Porter made a difference in the lives of many young athletes and helped them build their skills to compete at their full potential. He was loved and admired by his students and players. In addition to many other accolades, Bill was inducted into SC Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Irmo High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. While recognition was not something he sought, these acknowledgements are an enduring expression of appreciation and gratitude for decades of coaching excellence. After retirement, Bill started a successful landscaping business which he operated in Chapin, SC.

In 2008, Bill and Kim relocated to Mt. Pleasant, SC to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Bill developed a passion for fishing (and sometimes catching) and could be found daily on his Hewes in the creeks of Shem Creek, Castle Pinckney and the intercoastal. While he enjoyed the sport, he was notorious in the neighborhood as “the fish man” for giving away his catch for others to enjoy. Bill had a love for music and was a self-taught guitarist and harmonica player. Whether gathering with friends and family or sitting in the living room with Kim, he often picked up his guitar to entertain. Bill was a sports enthusiast following professional tennis and college sports, especially his beloved Gamecocks. To honor his late grandson, Bill began a special project collecting and refurbishing 100’s of bicycles to give away to children at Christmas time in the local community.

Bill, or Billbo as his grandchildren fondly called him, was an adored brother, devoted husband, beloved father, cherished grandfather, and a great friend to all. He was a simple and content man who was always authentic to himself. He loved his family and was generous in spirit and warm hearted. He was known to act with kindness, compassion, and willing to share with others without any expectation of receiving something back in return.

In addition to his wife, Kim, he is survived by his son, William “Lee” Wesley Porter and daughter, Kayce Porter Bates both of Mount Pleasant; his sister Caprice “Cappie” Porter Olmsted of Mount Pleasant, his brother, Scott Coleman Porter, and nephew Jacob Porter of Chapin; his six grandchildren William Pierce Porter, Collins Rose Porter, Robert Rhodes Porter, Porter Mae Bates, Boone Coleman Bates; and preceded by his grandson Jefferson Brody Bates; his beloved support dog, Purvis along with a collection of lifelong friends, colleagues, and students.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial donation in Bill’s name to Respite Care Charleston 1605 Harbor View Rd., Charleston, SC 29412 https://respitecarecharleston.org/#donate. This organization was monumental in providing support to both Bill and the Porter family after his diagnosis. Contributions may also be made in his memory at Charleston Animal Society https://charlestonanimalsociety.org/.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in Mount Pleasant, SC. Details will be forthcoming.

For more information or to sign the online guestbook, please call J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 881-9293, www.jhenrystuhr.com.