Porter Harrill

Porter Harrill, age 81, of Carson, Iowa passed away on April 17, 2023.

Porter was born at home in Laclede County on January 25, 1942 close to Lebanon, Missouri to the late Sherman "Cress" and Neomia (Jones) Harrill.

His family moved from Missouri to Iowa when he was 3 or 4 years old. Porter attended Carson School through the 11th grade, then Carson and Macedonia merged and he was in the first graduating class from Carson-Macedonia in 1959.

Porter then enlisted in the United States Navy and served from January 15, 1960 to January 24, 1963 at which time he was Honorably released from the Navy. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Hornet Aircraft Carrier. His Carrier was one of the first that headed toward the Vietnam War.

Porter worked for Younkerman Seed Co., Wilson Concrete, making concrete culverts, then Continental Baking Co., in 1964, and finally Frito Lay for 34 years. He also worked for a short time for Butch Husz, operating a scraper in 1978, while on strike from Frito Lay. In 1998, Porter left his job with Frito Lay and worked part-time for Gary Forristal.

He was a volunteer with the Iowa's Snowmobile Education Program from January 1984 to January 1994, which resulted in being selected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to receive the Iowa Governor's Voluntary Award in April 1992. He was a Southwest Iowa ISSA (Iowa State Snowmobile Association) Region Director. Porter was also a volunteer with the River City Roundup Iowa Trail Ride which eventually involved being the Trail Boss. Porter was voted "Tall Male In the Saddle" in 1996, out of over 100 registered riders, and in 2002, the Omaha World-Herald honored Porter with an "In recognition of your leadership" plaque.

Porter married Darla Rollins on October 3, 1964 and had two children, Kelli and Terry, which rounded out their family. They lived in an apartment in Council Bluffs on South Seventh Street for a year, then rented a house for a year, before purchasing an acreage from Lois & Lester Coons in 1966. They both very much enjoyed snowmobiling, horse back riding, camping, and their grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Terry Harrill; daughter, Kelli; brothers, Eldon, Donald, Kenneth, Lane, and Ricky.

He is survived by his wife, Darla; grandchildren, Kyrstyn and Trace Walston, and Damen Harrill; sisters, Debra Harrill of Council Bluffs and Glenda Whittington of Deland, Florida; brother, Bobby Harrill of Riverdale, North Dakota; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Carson Community Building on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM at Carson Community Building on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Inurnment will be in the Carson Cemetery at a later date. The family will direct memorials in Porter's Honor.