Obituary of William E. Portner

William E. Portner, 91, of Rome, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 6, 2022. Born in Rome on December 8, 1930, he was a son of the late William A. and Ruth (Neiss) Portner. He was a 1950 graduate of Camden High School and in 1951 he joined the United States Air Force and served his country during the Korean War until being Honorably Discharged in 1953. On September 28, 1963, he was united in marriage to Jeanne Forister. She passed away November 26, 2001. Bill was a civilian employee at Griffiss Air Force Base for over 30 years, retiring in 1986. His happy place was his camp in Raquette Lake. He loved spending time up there and he was a member of the Raquette Lake Fire Department and the Raquette Lake Fish and Game Club. Bill was a Life-Member and Past Commander of the Meeker O’Rourke American Legion in Taberg. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following his grandchildren in their various sporting endeavors. He is survived by two daughters, Sandi Stedman and Cathy Smith (Jim); three sons, Randy (Brenda), Ronald and William A. (Kathy); eleven grandchildren, Jason Stedman, Azura Stedman, Sarah Stedman, Josh Smith (Kelly), Cristin Smith (Rainer), Christopher Portner (Misty), Patrick Portner (Donna), William E. Portner (Ramika), Timothy Portner, Katey Portner and Rose Portner (Erik); six great-grandchildren, Owen, Harlan, Max, Amelia, Erik and Alaina; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 11:00 a.m. at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome. Interment will take place in Lee State Road Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 11th from 4-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in William’s name to the Raquette Lake Fire Department, PO Box 160, Raquette Lake, NY 13436.