B. J. Porter

B.J. Porter, 76, of Grants Pass died Friday, July 17, 2009, at Three Rivers Community Hospital. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church, with Wes Winn, pastor, officiating. Contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 305 S.W. H St., Grants Pass, OR 97526; or to Wildlife Images, P.O. Box 36, Merlin, OR 97532; or to the Rogue Valley Humane Society, 429 N.W. Scenic Dr., Grants Pass, OR 97526; or to a charity of the donor's choice. She was born Betty Joyce Jolley, May 15, 1933, in Provo, Utah, to Elvin and Vida Jolley. Her family moved to San Diego in 1935. She attended high school in El Centro, Calif., and she worked at her mother's Wakki Drive Inn. She returned to San Diego in 1950 and taught ballroom dancing during the 1950s. She also sang professionally in local night clubs. In 1965, she was voted "Queen of the Naval Air Station." In 1972, after three failed marriages, she married Bill Porter, who survives. They lived in Mississippi for five years. They later moved to Grants Pass and built a log house together. She worked 10 years as a bartender at Elmer's restaurant and retired in 1992. She enjoyed bowling, animals and visiting nursing homes. In addition to her husband, survivors include two daughters, Kristen and Debbie; two sons, Rick and Steven; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.