William Port Jr.

William E. Port Jr., 89, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born Jan. 7, 1931, in Springfield, Illinois, to William E. and Mary Lou Persons Port. He and Barbara Genuit were married Oct. 20, 1956, at Clayton, Missouri. She preceded him in death June 16, 2014.

He was a graduate of Normandy High School in Normandy, Missouri, in 1949. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in 1953.

He served in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1954 to 1956.

He was a resident at Chateau Girardeau for the past 14 years. As a member of First Presbyterian Church, he was involved in the planning and building of The Chateau. He served as president of the board of directors and president of the residents council and served on several committees.

In earlier years, Port was director of training and employment at the Alton Box Board in Alton, Illinois; director of personnel at International Shoe in St. Louis, and clinic administrator at Internal Medicine Group in Cape Girardeau.

He was an elder at First Presbyterian churches, both in Alton and Cape Girardeau. He was a member of the choir and Youth Group leader.

Port served as president of Cape West Rotary Club, district governor Rotary District 6090 and president of the board of directors of American Red Cross, was on United Way Agency Review Committee and participated in many other community service activities.

Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Mark) Mueth of St. Charles, Missouri; son, William S. (Linda) Port of St. Louis; granddaughters, Emily Ann (John) Cody and Marcella Lynn (Tim) Forck; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Ethan and Kallie Kovach, William Cody and Delilah, Amelia and Felicity Forck; sister-in-law, Kathy Port of St. Louis; three nephews; and two grand-dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother, Robert P. (Evah) Port.

The memorial service has been postponed at this time and will be rescheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau or Chateau Girardeau Foundation, 3120 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.