Wisconsin Decoy Carver who migrated to California
A Decoy Corner Article
By Bruce Urben, WWA President
From left to right: George Porter, William Porter and former WWA ED Don Kirby at the Porter’s home.
William T. Porter was born in Marinette, WI in 1992 to his father George Porter and mother Kathy Kapla. Bill had two siblings, a brother and a sister. Bill’s father (George) began decoy carving in 1970 and was quite accomplished, carving working decoys for his own use and later carving decoys and other wildlife art for sale at statewide events. George’s family emigrated from Waymouth, England, as wood and leather craftsmen back in the 1600’s.
I met George Porter, Bill’s father, over 20 years ago at a high school class reunion in NE Wisconsin as he was married to a classmate of mine. George donated a hand carved decoy for the reunion fundraiser… needless to say I was not the raffle winner!
Bill Porter began following in his father’s footsteps at an early age. They relocated to rural Wausaukee, WI and hand built a log home on their homestead.
A Bill Porter decoy
Bill graduated from Wausaukee High School in 2010 and lived the sustainable lifestyle with his father. Bill enjoyed his hobby farm and hunted, trapped, fished and, of course, duck hunted. Bill began carving decoys under the tutelage of his father for his own use on the rivers, lakes and streams in Northern Wisconsin. As George became older, Bill took over the carving duties.
I met Bill at the Wisconsin Decoy Collector Show in Oshkosh WI about 10 years ago and immediately connected with his “folksy” carving style with many animated features.
Bill carved almost exclusively in white pine, most harvested and dried by his own hand. He used very few power tools, only an antique bandsaw. He used an axe to chop out all of his decoy bodies, draw knives, carving knives and rasps to shape heads and contour bodies. He used rasps to provide texture to each decoy and rarely used sandpaper. Bill painted his decoys exclusively in acrylic paint and was a master in blending his colors. Many of his working decoys were oversized and animated with preening heads, snuggle bills and alert postures. He carved most species but seemed to focus on Canvasbacks, ringneck, redheads and goldeneyes, as well as widgeon, teal, mallard and wood ducks.
William “Bill” Porter was a past sponsor for Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and carved a number of decoys for WWA fundraisers.
The bottom of a Bill Porter decoy
Bill was certainly a very accomplished carver and flat art artisan. We are just now seeing his decoys coming on the decoy auction circuit and they have been increasing in value. Bill always branded his decoys on the bottom. His early blocks have a hand carved brand, his later decoys are burnt in and signed. It is not uncommon to see a painted remark scene on the bottom of some of his decoys.
Sadly, Bill lost his struggle with addiction and passed away unexpectedly in April of 2021 at the age of 28. A talented Wisconsin carver and artist who will be missed by family, friends and the carving community.