Dr. Wayne L. Porter, DDS, returned to his heavenly home on September 6, 2018, after a valiant battle with long illness. His devotion to his family, friends, and his firm belief in God supported his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Wayne was born one of eight children to Norman and Nettie (Bea) Porter, an accountant and a homemaker in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Wayne started his athletic career at Magnolia High School, in New Martinsville. He was a 13-letter performer as a freshman and sophomore at Magnolia before his family moved to Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Wayne enrolled at WVU on a basketball grant, playing his freshman and sophomore years, he turned to football and baseball, to finish his last two years he played football. Wayne earned five varsity Mountaineer letters, not including freshman team player, three in football and one in both basketball and baseball. Wayne was in pre-medicine before switching to dentistry. He graduated at WVU Dental School with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Wayne always spoke fondly of his Magnolia and WVU days. One of his favorite memories, WVU Mountaineers playing against Syracuse because he scored five touchdowns in three games against them. Wayne followed the Mountaineers in all sports as much as possible. Wayne is one of the few athletes ever to accomplish football, baseball, and basketball lettermans at WVU since 1949.
After graduating WVU School of Dentistry, he developed a flourishing dental practice for over 30 years in Finleyville, Pa.
Wayne will be lovingly remembered by his wife Catherine (Habig), formerly from Shadyside, Ohio; his children, Karie Lynn (Matt) Coe, Jennifer Porter Yakos, Steve (Melissa) Porter; stepsons, Mateo (Kelly) Herrera and Capt. Estevan (Melissa) Herrera, USAF.
Papa Wayne will be forever remembered by his 11 grandchildren, Haley, Brandon, Isabella, Kelsey, Anna, Ava, Steven, Giada, Lorenzo, Selena and Sylas; his brothers and sisters, Phyllis (Ken) Martin, Norma (Carole) Beary, Paul (Jacque) Porter, Donald (Suzanne) Porter, Pamela (John) Douglass and Brian Porter; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by, Cathy (Jim) Hunt
Words cannot express our appreciation for the care, dedication and compassion that Stacie Balf, Margie Suttie and Debbie Ritts over the many years brought to Wayne. He had put up a long fight and knowing that he was in committed and compassionate hands helping him to live with dignity, grace and love. You ladies all are an invaluable gift from heaven.
Friends will be received at the Kegel Funeral Home, Inc., 3560 Washington Avenue, Finleyville, from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Septemeber 11. A funeral service will be held at Journey by Grace Free Methodist Church, 4803 PA 51, Belle Vernon, Pa., at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12. Everyone please meet at the church.
The family gratefully declines flowers, but prayers, condolences, memories are accepted also memorial donations can be made in honor of Wayne to: Western PA Parkinson Foundation, 575 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202 (412-837-2542) and/or to the wonderful, exceptional staff nurses, front staff call center, pastoral, doctor, Jeffrey’s Drug Store, drivers who gave such wonderful, remarkable, phenomenal care to Wayne in his time of need. God Bless You All. Concordia Hospice of Washington; 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301 (724-250-4500).
Isaiah 57:1-2
“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
