IN MEMORY
PORTER Dr. WAYNE L. PORTER, DDS
Returned to his heavenly home on September 6, 2018, after a valiant battle with long illness. His devotion to his family, friends, and his firm belief in God supported his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Wayne was born one of eight children to Norman and Nettie (Bea) Porter, an accountant and a homemaker in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wayne started his athletic career at Magnolia High School, New Martinsville, West Virginia. He was a 13-letter performer as a freshman and sophomore at Magnolia before his family moved to Mt. Lebanon, PA. Wayne enrolled at WVU on a basketball grant, playing his freshman and sophomore years. He turned to football and baseball; to finish his last two years he played football. Wayne earned five varsity Mountaineer letters, not including freshman team play – three in football and one in both basketball and baseball. Wayne was in pre-medicine before switching to dentistry. He graduated at WVU Dental School with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery. Wayne always spoke fondly of his Magnolia and WVU days. One of his favorite memories: WVU Mountaineers playing against Syracuse, because he scored five touchdowns in three games against them. Wayne followed the Mountaineers in all sports as much as possible.
Wayne is one of the few athletes ever to accomplish football-baseball-basketball letterman at WVU since 1949. After graduating WVU School of Dentistry, he developed a flourishing dental practice for over 30 years in Finleyville, PA. Wayne will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Catherine (Habig), formerly from Shadyside, Ohio; his children, Karie Lynn (Matt) Coe, Jennifer Porter Yakos, Steve (Melissa) Porter; stepsons, Mateo (Kelly) Herrera and Capt. Estevan (Melissa) Herrera, USAF; Papa Wayne will be forever remembered by his eleven grandchildren, Haley, Brandon, Isabella, Kelsey, Anna, Ava, Steven, Giada, Lorenzo, Selena and Sylas; fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Phyllis (Ken) Martin, Norma (Carole) Beary, Paul (Jacque) Porter, Donald (Suzanne) Porter, Pamela (John) Douglass and Brian Porter; preceded in death by Cathy (Jim) Hunt; Wayne will also be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Words cannot express our appreciation for the care, dedication and compassion that Stacie Balf, Margie Suttie and Debbie Ritts brought to Wayne over the many years. He had put up a long fight, and knowing that he was in committed and compassionate hands helped him to live with dignity, grace and love. You ladies all are an invaluable gift from heaven.
Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at KEGEL FUNERAL HOME, INC., Tim P. Kegel, Supervisor, David P. Kegel, Director, 3560 Washington Avenue, Finleyville. A. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Journey by Grace Free Methodist Church, 4803 PA 51, Belle Vernon, PA 15012. Everyone please meet at the church. The family gratefully declines flowers, but prayers, condolences, and memories are accepted; also memorial donations can be made in honor of Wayne to: Western PA Parkinson Foundation, 575 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202 (412-837-2542) and/or to the wonderful, exceptional staff nurses, front staff call center, pastoral, doctor, Jeffrey's Drug Store, drivers who gave such wonderful, remarkable, phenomenal careto Wayne in his time of need. God Bless You All. Concordia Hospice of Washington; 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301 (724-250-4500). Isaiah 57:1-2: "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."
Dennis Devlin
I am extremely sad to hear of Wayne’s passing. I have not kept up with Wayne since our high school playing days. I can say that he was one of the best athletes I have ever been around. I will never forget a game against Canon Macmillan when it rained so hard you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Neither Lebo nor Canon MAC could move the football. But on 2 different Canon Mac punts Wayne not only caught them cleanly he returned them for touchdowns. It was an amazing feat considering the conditions. Because of his West Virginia roots we had a nick name for him which I cannot remember but he took the ribbing in stride. He was a fun guy and I will always remember him. RIP Wayne and God Bless your family.
Devon Hixenbaugh (Sloan)
Oh, that smile and the friendship he shared with everyone. He was a great guy in high school, and after reading his memoriam, it looks as though that continued throughout his life I am so sorry he had a long illness. He didn't deserve it, and I hope his family and friends will have many happy memories to bring them peace. Many touchdowns being scored in heaven today!
Susan Devlin
Yes...no one will forget his smile and big heart...he gave the Cheerleaders someone to route for at all times. Rest in peace, friend.
David Staplin
Don't know about the football team, but to the basketball team Wayne was "Gomer."
Jack Watchorn
It was really sad to hear of Wayne's passing. What a tremendous athlete he was in high school. I lost touch with Wayne after graduation, but according to his memoriam, he had an outstanding athletic career at WVU, as well. Not surprising, as I played both football and baseball with Wayne, and was a manager for the basketball team, so I saw his athletic prowess on a first-hand basis for two school years after he relocated from West Virginia to Mt. Lebo. The memoriam also states that he had a terrific family life and dental career. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Again, another classmate taken from us far too early. Rest in peace, Wayne.
William P. (Pete) Fulton
I played a lot of basketball with Wayne in our 20’s and 30’s and even into our 40’s. Just a tremendous player and person. He was so good he could have dominated just by scoring. But he was so unselfish that he got everyone on the team involved. However, it goes beyond that. He had an amazing and uncanny ability to make his teammates better. Always! Kevin McHale said the same thing about Larry Bird. We’re talking completely different levels, of course, but that’s the type of player Wayne was. There’s an old expression that says sports builds character. I don’t believe that. I believe sports reveals character. I only knew Wayne on the court, but I am 100% certain that he had exemplary character off the court, on it, and in every phase of his life.
Chuck A. Goldberg
As everybody knows Wayne was tremendous athlete who was fun to be around. I will never forget one football practice session we had because I thought I was just going to run him out of bounds. I thought that because I had a great angle on him, ha ha! When I went to tackle him all I felt was air because he side step me and made me look foolish, but he did that to many. Very sad to say goodbye!