[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1256-E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF RETIRED UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS GUNNERY 
         SERGEANT (GYSGT) WILLIAM VERNON ``BUSTER'' PORTER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of 
retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) William 
Vernon ``Buster'' Porter, Jr., who passed away on September 3, 2018. 
Mr. Porter was devoted to the service of our nation and equally devoted 
to his family and friends.
  Mr. Porter was born in Corinth, Mississippi, on November 13, 1949, to 
William and Jessie Porter. He graduated from Easom High School in 1968 
and joined the United States Marine Corps with four of his closest 
friends. Nebra Porter, Mr. Porter's devoted wife of 36 years, recently 
said that her husband served in the Vietnam War from December 1968 
until January 1970. Injuries he sustained while helping his fellow 
Marines earned him the Purple Heart. In addition to his combat duty, he 
served in a number of roles during his military service, including 
drill instructor, recruiter, and a AV-8B Harrier technician.
  In 1982, Mr. Porter was serving as a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter in 
Toledo, Ohio, when he met his future wife. Mrs. Porter said that she 
entered the recruiting station to enlist in the U.S. Navy. ``I planned 
to serve in the U.S. Navy,'' Mrs. Porter said. ``I accidentally ran 
into William in the hallway and we began talking. Being the consummate 
recruiter, he wanted me to join the U.S. Marine Corps. We eventually 
decided to get married instead!'' Mrs. Porter said her husband became 
her soulmate. ``He was my best friend and we thought alike. William was 
a good person and everyone he met was positively impacted by him. He 
never met a stranger. The neighborhood kids would ask if he could come 
out to play and he would gladly and enthusiastically share his 
knowledge and skills. Whatever he decided to do, he did and did well. 
William was also civically active in every community he lived. He was 
also an active and lifelong member of the American Legion,'' said Mrs. 
Porter.
  According to Mr. Porter's obituary published in the Northeast 
Mississippi Daily Journal, he was described by friends and family as a 
jack of all trades and master of all. He was an entrepreneur who 
pursued photography, real estate, and automobile sales. Mr. Porter also 
served as a Yuma County Deputy Sheriff in Arizona. It was during that 
time that Mrs. Porter served as a defense attorney while her husband 
was a jailor. ``Eventually, people figured out we were married,'' Mr. 
Porter said. ``Inmates would say my husband puts them in jail and I get 
them out.''
  In 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Porter moved to Mississippi. They lived in 
Corinth, West Point, and Tupelo. During those years, they enjoyed 
spending time with their children and grandchildren in a loving and fun 
atmosphere. Mr. Porter was known to be mischievous and enjoyed playing 
tricks on friends and family. Dewayne Porter, Mr. Porter's nephew, said 
everyone loved his sense of humor. Dewayne most admired Mr. Porter for 
his military service. ``I joined the military because of him,'' Dewayne 
said. ``He offered me advice and encouraged me to enlist. It was the 
best thing that I ever did.''
  Frederick Porter, Mr. and Mrs. Porter's youngest child, said his 
father was always there for him. ``He was a great man,'' Frederick 
said. ``He was always there for me. He was a great father. He was also 
a wonderful grandfather to all of his grandchildren. He made everyone 
feel special. Even those who met him for the first time walked away 
with a great impression of this kind and thoughtful man.''
  Family and friends gathered for Mr. Porter's memorial service at the 
Grayson-Porter's Mortuary on Thursday, September 6, 2018. During the 
service, Frederick read aloud a poem he wrote titled, ``Chose To.''

     He didn't have to raise me, but he chose to.
     He didn't have to give me life, but he chose to show me how 
           to live.
     He could've treated me like a stepson, but chose to treat me 
           like his own son.
     He didn't have to teach me anything, but he chose to be my 
           greatest teacher.
     He didn't have to love me, but he chose to show me how to 
           love.
     He didn't have to be my father, but he chose to be the 
           greatest father in the world.
     I'll never forget this decision he decided to make, for he 
           made me into the man I am today.
     Because of that, I chose to love you with all my heart and 
           soul.
     I chose to live my life in the path he has guided me.
     Thank you, God, for choosing this man to be my father.
     I love you, Dad.


[[Page E1257]]


  Mr. Porter is survived by his wife, Nebra Porter; three children, 
Shawnda ``Chrissy'' Wyland, Damon Evans, and Frederick Porter; one 
sister, Doris Curry; one brother, Jerry Porter; and 12 grandchildren.
  Mr. Porter will be remembered for his distinguished service to 
America and for always setting a good example for others to follow. He 
was a true patriot and embodied what it means to be a proud American.

                          ____________________