Billie Jane Porter

Billie Jane Porter June 12, 1928 February 15, 2014 Billie Jane Porter of Waco passed away Saturday, February 15, 2014, of renal failure after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, February 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Billie was born in Otto, Texas, the ninth child of Altha Beard Cox and Stephen Henry Cox. She graduated from Ganado High School in Ganado, Texas, and received a degree from 4C Business College in Waco. In 1946, she married Paul Ernest Porter and together they raised three sons, Marcus Lynn Porter, Phillip Wayne Porter, and Gary Dale Porter. Billie worked for the Department of Labor for over thirty years, including an extended special assignment to the Department of Labor in Washington D.C., investigating wage and hour law violations. An active member of Crestview and Lake Shore Drive Churches of Christ, she wrote the women's newsletter for many years. She loved to travel, making many trips across country to visit grandchildren, to Mexico visiting her sister, and one trip to Morocco. An avid golfer and volleyball player, she organized co-ed volleyball teams and competed in league volleyball. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Ernest Porter, who passed away in 1980; her parents, Altha Beard Cox and Stephen Henry Cox; brothers, Cecil Henry Cox, Maurice Cox, Roy Condell Cox, Alma Carl Cox, and Medford Cox; and one sister, Joyce Geneva Cox Hatter. Billie is survived by two sisters, Francis Dannewitz of Tuscon, Arizona, and Reba Rainwater of Edna, Texas. She is also survived by her children, Mark Porter and wife, Bridget, of Atlanta, Georgia; Phil Porter and wife, Tina, of Austin; and Gary Porter of Brazoria, Texas; five grandchildren, Keith Porter and Claire Porter of Atlanta, and Emory, Chandler and Jordan Porter of Austin; and a long time friend, Ben Hough. In lieu of flowers, Billie requested that donations be made to the Cherokee Home for Children, 13355 State Highway 16, Cherokee, Texas 76832. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.