Dr. Lee Warwick Porter, Jr., beloved husband, devoted son, supportive brother, loving step-father, wonderful granddaddy, American patriot, helpful friend, compassionate Christian, leader of his church was resurrected to his heavenly mansion on Saturday, March 17, 2012.
Born on November 3, 1934 to Ethel Orrell Porter and Lee Warwick Porter, Sr., in Wilmington, Dr. Porter grew up along Masonboro Sound before moving to Wilmington with his family as a teenager. He was well-educated at New Hanover High School where he graduated in 1953 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1957. Dr. Porter placed his formal education on hold to defend his country as a Naval Pilot flying P-2 reconnaissance planes based in Okinawa, Japan between 1957 and 1962. Dr. Porter was committed to serving in the United States Navy, even after his time of active duty by continuing as a Naval Reservist until retiring in 1994.
Dr. Porter returned to UNC-Chapel Hill to graduate from the School of Dentistry in 1968 after his tour of duty. His love for the people of his hometown led him to return to Wilmington to begin his practice of dentistry that continued uninterrupted for thirty-five years. Upon his retirement from practicing dentistry full-time, Dr. Porter continued filling in for area Dentists during their times of vacation and study and also served as a member of the faculty of Cape Fear Community College.
The love of Dr. Porter’s life was Wanda Pigott Porter, his wife, companion, dental assistant, best friend and partner in ministry. The two of them enjoyed better than thirty-two years of married life together.
Dr. Porter is survived by his wife, Wanda; sister, Mary Porter Lee of Wilmington; a daughter, Cynthia (Cyndi) McLelland Meyer (Roger) of Peachtree City, Georgia; a son, Frederick (Freddy) McLelland of Hillsborough, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Savannah Corey (Alex) of Swansboro, North Carolina; Perry and Cole McLelland and their mother, Amy McLelland of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and Autumnlee Meyer of Peachtree City, Georgia; and one great-grandchild, Spencer Nichols of Swansboro, North Carolina. Dr. Porter will also be remembered lovingly by his mother-in-law, Della F. Pigott of Shallotte Point, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Sheldon Pigott and his wife, Janice of Brunswick County, and his nephew, Andy Lee of Raleigh.
Dr. Porter was pre-deceased by a sister, Constance (Connie) Porter Tilson
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM, Monday evening at Andrews Market Street Chapel.
A celebration of Dr. Porter’s life will be conducted on Tuesday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. at The First Baptist Church of Wilmington (corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street) of which Dr. Porter was a member for better than sixty years. His remains will be interred in the columbarium of First Baptist Church.
Dr. Porter’s family sincerely thank the medical and nursing staffs of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Lower Cape Fear Hospice for the care they provided to Dr. Porter and each of them during his final days on earth.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 411 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401 or the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401
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