James R. Porter, 82, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away at his residence on Monday, January 21, 2013. James was born on July 5, 1930, in Gallipolis, Ohio, son of the late William Thomas Porter and Mabel Annabelle Cornell Porter. James was a retired operating engineer with Local #18 Columbus, Ohio.

He is survived by his companion of thirty-four years, married the last eight years, Wilma Traylor Porter of Gallipolis; one daughter, Brenda Porter of Gallipolis; grandson, Jackie Stegall of Wellston; great-granddaughter, Alexis Stegall of Middleport; step-son, Jerry (Tonya) Traylor of Rodney; step-daughters, Regina Eskew of Tennessee and Sharon (Raymond) Pauley of Proctorville; step-grandsons, Adam (Beth) Traylor of Bidwell and Brian Harold, Jr., of Tennessee; step-granddaughters, Heidi Coffman of Tennessee, Brooklynne Pauley of Proctorville; step-great-grandson, Aiden Traylor of Bidwell; and step-great-granddaughter, Raelynne Traylor of Bidwell; sisters, Violet Jeffers of Gallipolis and Ernestine “Tennie” Henry of Gallipolis, and a brother, Paul Dean Porter of Crown City; former wife, June Porter of Gallipolis; a special friend, Don Kingery of Crown City; and a special pet dog, Smokey.

James was preceded in death by three brothers, Vernon Kuhn, Bill Kuhn and Ralph Porter.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Willis Funeral Home with Rev. Ralph Workman officiating. Burial will follow in Clay Chapel Cemetery. There will not be any calling hours in accordance with his wishes. His nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send email condolences.