William "Bill" Porter Sr.

William (Bill) Porter Sr., age 83, of Vesper WI, died June 12, 2025, after a long courageous battle with esophagus cancer. He was born to William and Stella Porter on April 19, 1942, near Rudolph, WI.

Bill served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1959 to 1963 as a medic and a cook. He talked about his Marine Corp experience often. Bill was on a war ship stationed offshore by Cuba during the conflict called “The Bay of Pigs.”

He married Rose (Bednarczyk) Porter on March 5, 1966.

His interest in animals led him to open Wildlife Unlimited game farm and later his adventures with Wildlife videos. He enjoyed producing and filming wildlife videos. Many of his films were made with the assistance of his son John and Rose many years ago. Some of his old videos can still be seen on (Watch Tonic TV) online.

Bill, Rose and their bears appeared on the Jay Leno Show in 1999.

He enjoyed watching sports on TV, wood crafting furniture, and golfing in his younger years. Plus visiting with friends and all his wonderful neighbors.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday June 23, 2025, at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (1010 E Veterans Pkwy Marshfield, WI). Chaplain Randy VanDeLoo will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until the time of services at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Arpin Cemetery.

Bill survived his wife Rose by 24 days. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Rose, and their two sons John and Paul Porter. All four of them are together, free and home.

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