Willliam 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 his 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 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, 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 Saint 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 of Rotary District 6090, president of the board of directors of the American Red Cross, United Way Agency Review Committee and 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; two granddaughters, Emily Ann (John) Cody and Marcella Lynn (Tim) Forck; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob, Ethan and Kallie Kovach, William Cody, Delilah, Amelia and Felicity Forck; sister-in-law, Kathy Port of Saint Louis; three nephews; and two grand-dogs.

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

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at First Presbyterian Church, 235 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating.

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.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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