Gravestone for Bill Porter and Mom

My name is Shelly Brady. I had the privledge of meeting Bill Porter when I was only 17 years old. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he could not drive a car, so Bill hired me to deliver the Watkins Products that he sold door-to-door. Over the years, Bill became like family to me and after I got married,  to my husband. Our six children looked to him like a grandfather. Bill lived a simple life and wouldn't take no for an answer. When he was told he was unemployable by multiple people, he ignored them and went on to become Watkins number one door-to-door salesman.  Bill inspired millions as his story was told first in an Oregonian Article by Tom Hallman, then on ABC's 20/20, in my book Ten Things I Learned From Bill Porter, and in the Emmy Award winning movie, Door to Door.



When my dear friend, Bill Porter, passed away, I gathered all of his lovely trophies, plaques, and other memorabilia and brought them home. Bill was an amazing salesman and an inspiration. I could not bear to send his precious belongings off to a thrift store.

I am now ready to simplify my life and let go. And it is time for Bill's trophies and awards to find new homes. I am hoping that they can go to people that will appreciate what Bill stood for and that they will be an inspiration to others as a symbol of hard word, persistence, and endurance.



It occurred to me that I could put those symbols to good use if I could use them to raise money for a final tribute to Bill!

My dear friend, Bill Porter, is buried next to his mother. We discovered at Bill's burial that Bill never had a gravestone created for her! I would love to raise money to have a double gravestone put in for Bill and his mother. He adored his mom and I know he would want this. If you would like to be a part of making this happen, then please consider a donation, and join with a community of friends and admirers of Bill's who will join together to honor him in his final resting place on earth.

As a thank you, I would love to give interested donors a photograph, trophy, award, or some form of Bill Porter memorabilia. You may contact me via gofundme.

Breakdown for donations and gifts:

$5 - $50 - Stamped autograhped picture of Bill
$51 - $100 - Trophy or other memorabilia and above
$100 - $200 - 2 Trophies or other and above
$200 + - let's talk! 
**Applies until trophies and other memorabilia run out.

Proceeds will go towards the gravestone (purchase and installation) and the cost of shipping gifts. If the donation amount is exceeded, all additional proceeds will go to Bill's favorite charity, United Cerebral Palsy.