W.H. Porter of PorterCorp: In Memoriam

William H. Porter, CEO and founder of PorterCorp, died November 10 at the age of 82, in Holland, Mich.

 

Bill founded W.H. Porter, Inc. in Holland in 1963 to build balsa-wood
cores for boats. That business evolved into PorterCorp and the
manufacturing of structural insulated panel systems (SIPS), hog
confinement buildings, park shelters and gazebos. The PorterCorp line
includes Poligon Park Architecture, Porter SIPS, Parasol Fabric Shade, Poligon Wood Shelters, and Adapt Building Systems.

He holds dozens of patents on products and product components and is cofounder of the Structural Insulated Panel Association, from which he has received a Lifetime Achievement Award. His Poligon structures are installed in parks and public spaces across the country. His company now employs about 100 people and is one of the most stable companies in the unsteady Michigan economy. He continued designing until the day before he died.

Born January 15, 1927, in Richmond, Ohio, to William L. and Marjorie Porter, Bill was raised in Ohio and Florida. He served with the Army Air Corp in Germany after World War II, then graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

Bill served on the Saugatuck (Mich.) Zoning Board of Appeals and was an active cyclist with Saugatuck Spokes. He participated in many Holland 100 rides and other endurance events over the years. He was also an avid skier, traveler, and sailor.

He is survived by his wife, sculptor Cynthia McKean of Saugatuck; children Emily Porter (Lynn) Pringle, Phoenix; Gay Porter (Michael) DeNileon, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; Fran Porter (Tom) Milner, Broomfield, Colo.; Andy (Julie) Porter, Lowell, MI; Jeff McKean, New York City, NY; and Leslie McKean (Pete) Haddad, Santa Cruz, Calif.; grandchildren Hilary, Sam, Sarah, Ellie, Porter, Clil, and Jackson; sister Betsy Tharp, brother David (Annie) Porter, sister-in-law Carmela Porter, numerous nieces and nephews, many friends, colleagues and employees.

A celebration of his life was held Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Douglas Community Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the Land Conservancy of Western Michigan (www.naturenearby.org), with funds dedicated to the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.