Elbert Royce “Sandy” Porter

Elbert Royce Porter, better known as Sandy, was born on August 24, 1952, in Dallas, Texas to Claude Billy Porter SR and Joyce Shoulders Porter.  Sandy was preceded in death by both his parents, all grandparents, his younger brother Roger, and Auntie.

Sandy is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Collins Porter; daughter, Terra Dee Porter & James Brazil Long; sons, Timothy Joseph Porter, wife Lindsey & Christopher Royce Porter; step son, Jody Dale Hackler; granddaughter Brooklyn McKenzie & husband Cameron; brothers Claude Billy Porter JR & wife Bridget, Ron E. Porter & wife Viola; sister Claudia Porter Withrow & husband Jason; nephews, Shawn, Scott, Jayden; nieces, Myka, Corina, Tatum; great niece, Maddie, & great nephews, Cecil, Jett, & Dylan.

When Sandy, nicknamed PeeWee Porter, was a child, he raced go carts that his father made, with his mother and cousin Frances. His photo was in Life magazine on June 18, 1960, showing off the numerous trophies he had already won.

Sandy loved music and taught himself to play the guitar. He loved to play and make up songs to serenade his mother and sister.

As a young boy Sandy would often mimic his father by wearing his hard hat and carrying his lunchbox. It is not a surprise that he followed in his father’s trade of iron working shortly after graduating high school.

In the mid 1970’s, Sandy worked for Bechtel Jacobs, Completing the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STP) in Bay City, he was in charge of placing 30-foot-long beams four floors underground that the previous company had

left undone.

After traveling and working in many states, Sandy moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 2004. There he worked for Bechtel Engineering & Construction company, where he was in charge of the waste remediation at K-25. After completion of that project, he worked at Y-12, where he was a hoisting and rigging engineer, retiring in late 2019.

A few months after arriving in Tennessee, Sandy met Betty who waited on him at Ruby Tuesday. They began dating and fell in love.

Betty worked every day and was only off on Sunday’s. She says she had always prayed for God to send her a Sunday man, but He sent her a Sandy man instead. They moved in together and soon bought their home and settled in Harriman, TN.  Betty said it took a Texas man to bring her back to her hometown. Work brought Sandy to Eastern Tennessee, but his love of the life he built with Betty kept him there.

Sandy and Betty had a deep love for the water. You could always find them either hanging in their backyard pool, on their boat, or vacationing Oceanside. Sandy always said, “No matter what, it’s you and me!”

They were long time members of the Caney Creek Marina on Watts Bar Lake in Harriman. They enjoyed many beautiful days hand in hand while boating on Watts Bar Lake with family and friends.

Sandy will be truly missed by family and friends, but his legacy will forever live on in our hearts.

Cremation arrangements have been made and a private interment will be held at a later date. Evans Mortuary is serving the family of Mr. Elbert Royce “Sandy” Porter.