William Wagener Porter, "Judge", of Worton, MD died on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

Mr. Porter was the son of the late Andrew Wagener Porter and Elizabeth Bromley Porter, and the grandson of the Honorable William Wagener Porter, Superior Court Justice of Pennsylvania from whom he got his nickname, "Judge".

He was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 18, 1939, and was educated at the Country School, Easton, MD., St. Georges School, Middletown, RI, Avon Old Farms, Avon, Conn., and the University of Maryland.  After his college education Mr. Porter joined the U.S. Army Aviation Division and served eighteen months in Korea.  Upon his return to the states and discharge, he began a career dealing with the various aspects of construction from the conception of residential and light commercial buildings to the conclusion of the project.  He was well versed in contract negotiations, his even temperament and quiet, calming demeanor allowed him to advocate for a mutually agreeable settlement.

Mr. Porter began his own business in 1984, Porter Construction Consultants. It was the first home inspection company on the eastern shore of Maryland. He provided services to home buyers as well as consulting services to the legal profession, giving expert testimony in both District and Circuit Courts throughout the state of Maryland.  He served as a compliance inspector on the fee panel for HUD, approved 203K plans, prepared cost estimates for both new and home improvements in residential construction management and contract review.  As a consultant to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, he provided testimony at Administrative Hearings.  His consulting firm was retained by the Maryland State Highway Administration to provide construction inspections for projects throughout the state.  He was a Code Enforcement Officer and Superintendent of Public Works for the Municipalities of Denton, Federalsburg and Centreville, retiring in 2008.  He held various licenses as well as participating as a member of many various organizations.

Mr. Porter is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Nancy "Nanny" Porter, four children, Deborah E. Spader, (Tom) of Brick, NJ, Joseph "Moose" B. Porter, (Porscha) of Accokeek, MD, William W. Porter, Jr., (his partner, Elena) of Jacksonville, FL, and David R. Porter, (Laura) of Centreville, MD: eleven grandchildren, Dylan Spader, Zack Spader, Abby Spader, Carley Brady, Hannah Porter, Zoe Porter, William Porter, III, Miller Porter, Mary Lowery Porter, Nathan Porter, Sarah Porter, and five step-grandchildren; Drew Huley, Jewel Hurley, Maya Bird, Gabriel Bird and Joseph Bird.  He also leaves sixteen nieces and nephews.

Mr. Porter held memberships in the Tred Avon Yacht Club, the Talbot Country Club, the Chester River Yacht and Country Club.  He was also a past board member of the Homeports Org.  Judge was the most relaxed and at peace when he had a tiller in one hand and a main sheet line in the other and his children all over the deck.  He would use any excuse he could find to be on board a boat. While he was an avid sailor, in his later years he reluctantly became a "stinkpot boater"!

Judge was truly a gentle giant of man whose passing will be mourned by family and friends alike, not the least of which is his "furbaby", Sassafras, "Sassy".

Burial will be at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton, MD on February 1 at 12 pm, followed by a celebration of his life at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club at 2 pm.

The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made to the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County, PO Box 352, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech