William Manuel Portier

William Manuel Portier (aka Bill and Willie), 91, of Erlanger, Kentucky was born April 24, 1932. He passed away on February 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. Bill was an Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean War in Guam. He worked at Ford Motor Company and retired after 30 years. He enjoyed life to the fullest. In the 1970s, he invented the “Willy’s AUTOmatic Laundry Show” and rode his high-wheel bike in many parades. Most of all, he enjoyed all the activities around his Ford car collection. Jane and Bill enjoyed many old car clubs and spent over twenty years at Florida Flywheelers where he entertained people at “Wild Willie’s Used up Cars” and orchestrated the Put Together Car (in less than 4-minutes). Bill was known for his sense of humor, overalls, and top hat.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Settie Portier and his sisters: Rebecca Earlywine and Mary Lou Abel. He is survived by the love of his life and his best friend, Ethel Jane Portier, his daughters Patty (Jimmy) Wade of Charlotte, NC, Penny (Stephen) Hungler of St. Johns, FL, his stepdaughters, Kathy (Chris) Watters, Knoxville, TN, and Janine Abdellaoui, Delhi Hills, OH, his eight grandchildren: Jenny (Jason) Lanier, Tyler (Brittney) Portier, Taylor Anne Wade, John Briedis, Luke (Katie) Briedis, Clayton (Autumn) Fowler, Adam Abdellaoui, Layla Abdellaoui and four great grandchildren: Leighton, Aubrey, Magnus, and Briar. He is survived by his oldest friend of 82 years, Richard Middendorf.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends across the globe. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later time.

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