 Porterfield's health was failing and following his death in October 1971, Partington was officially named Producing Artistic Director of the Barter Theatre.For the next twenty years, under Partington's leadership, the Barter Theatre continued its legacy as America's oldest professional theater.In 1992, Partington retired as Producing Artistic Director of the Barter Theatre and he, his wife, actress Cleo Holladay moved to the Mexican Gulf coastal town of Apalachicola, Florida.