Bill Houston passed away peacefully at his home in Little River, SC, on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, with Nancy and Krista at his side, and Abby nearby. Bill passed after a short but courageous battle with cancer at the age of 81 years and 4 days.

Bill was born in Chicago, IL, on May 3rd, 1943, to Al and Ann Houston.

Bill's formative years were spent with his grandma and grandpa Houston in Necedah, WI. The love and nurturing he received from them molded him into the person he became. While living with his grandparents he took accordion lessons, and his lifelong love of music began.

Bill enlisted in the army after graduating from high school in St. Paul, MN. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School and received his commission. He was stationed in Fairbanks, AK, Germany, Italy, served a tour in Vietnam, and after 8 years he left the service a Captain.

Bill and Nancy met in May of 1974 and their first date was taking Mark and Shelley to a Minnesota Twins game at the old Met Stadium. They married 3 months later on August 10th, 1974, in Watertown, SD with Nancy's parents as witnesses. They were immediately blessed by the blending of their families which included Billy, 10; Mark, 9; and Shelley, 8.

In 1977, Bill graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in business. His career took them from the Twin Cities to Sheboygan, WI, Richmond, VA, Atlanta, GA, and back to MN where he and Nancy finished their careers. During their married life, they enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. He loved spending time with family, and they spent many evenings singing as he accompanied them on the organ. Bill cherished the time he spent making music with the country gospel band in Clarkfield, especially the Wednesday night church services.

After retiring, Bill and Nancy bought a home in Little River, SC on his favorite golf course. They enjoyed playing golf together, with family and friends, and especially with Mark and Al. They often entertained family and friends and Bill loved spending time in the kitchen making meals for his guests. They looked forward to new adventures and went on many with Krista and Al, enjoyed fishing with Shelley and Gordon on the ocean and Lake Superior, vacationed at Epcot with Mark and Lori, and cherished many trips and concerts they took with their kids, grandkids, family, and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandma and grandpa Houston; his parents, Al and Ann; his son, Bill Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kathy; father-in-law, Johnie Sturgeon, and other dear family members and friends.

He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of nearly 50 years; son, Mark (Lori); daughter, Shelley (Gordon); grandchildren, Krista (Al), Rick (Jenna), and Abby; great-grandsons, Henrik and Anders; mother-in-law, Ruth Sturgeon; brothers and sisters-in-law, John, Marlene (Dale), Jenny (Mike), Don (Laurie), and many other family members and friends.

Blessed be his memory.

Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, July 27th, 2024, at 1 PM at Augustana Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, followed by the Celebration of Life at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Augustana Lutheran Church or the Fridhem Cemetery Fund.