William Hamilton (Bill) Porter, passed away on January 26 from COVID-19, three weeks shy of his 98th birthday. Raised in Baltimore, he was the son of Naval Captain William H. Porter and Amy Manning Porter. His father died when Bill was 12-years old, leaving him and his two sisters to be raised solely by their mother. At the time, Mr. Porter was a student at the Millbrook School in New York. Then, following a semester of college at MIT, he applied to and was accepted into the Naval Academy, his calling being spurred on after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After graduating from the Academy and serving a tour in the Navy, Mr. Porter was hired in 1947 by the Headmaster of the Gilman School in Baltimore, Henry Callard, who had been Assistant Headmaster of Millbrook and a father figure to Mr. Porter in his early years. Teaching math, science and physics his entire career, Mr. Porter was made head of the Science Department from 1974-1980. He “made physics make sense” one of his students said and the labs, mostly built in his own workshop, were always memorable and at times entertaining. His extra-curricular duties included conducting the Glee Club from 1953-1956 and founding and leading The Traveling Men, Gilman’s a cappella group, holding weekly evening rehearsals at his home. He retired from Gilman in 1980.
He was an accomplished piano player and could be heard often playing Beethoven or Chopin pieces. Like his mother (who lived to be 101), he had a talent for oil painting on canvas; his subjects included maritime scenes and portraits of historical figures, family, friends, and pets. His portrait of Henry and Clarissa Callard was installed in Gilman’s Lower School Callard Hall upon its dedication. Mr. Porter was a true Renaissance Man.
On Cape Cod, he was well known in the community not only for his longevity as a resident but for the many hats he wore. He served on the board and committees of the Brewster Ladies’ Library, supported the Brewster General Store and was a Brewster Water Commissioner for many years, among other things.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Jacquie, in 1994, and his sisters Penny and Priscilla. He is survived by his sister Barbara of Jamestown, RI, his three children: Dolly Rowles (Walter “Bud”) of Brewster, Cape Cod; Romeyn Bombanti (Jim) of Beaumont, California; William H. “Skip” Porter, Jr. (Peggy) of Baltimore, MD; five grandchildren – Vail, Gretchen, Hans, Lauren Ketryn, Hamilton; and two great-grandchildren – Remington and Willow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Brewster Ladies’ Library, 1822 Main Street, Brewster MA 02631 or to Gilman School, Attn. Development Office, 5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore MD 21210.
