Bill J. Houston

Bill Houston, a native of Neshoba County, Mississippi passed away Monday, June 30, 2014 at Jaquith Nursing Home. He was born on December 30, 1925. Upon completion of high school he entered the United States Navy in June 1944 and served aboard the U.S.S. Nashville in the Pacific Theater narrowly escaping death from a Japanese kamikaze in the Coral Sea. He attended East Central Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduation he went to work as a Physicist for the Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station in 1951. While with the Corps of Engineers he worked on atomic test sites in Nevada, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi. He also worked on many river dams across the country. Bill served as secretary for the Jackson Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers for a number of years. He served his community as a Cub Scout Master and Trustee of Forest Hill High School.

He was a member of Raymond Road Baptist Church and previously Forest Hill Baptist where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in both. His many interests included gardening, genealogy and fishing. He was an animal lover and outdoorsman. Bill enjoyed music and was a self taught musician on several instruments. Bill was an exceptional Chess player and was the champion of the Concrete Branch of the Waterways Experiment Station for many years and often entertained chess matches in his home. While in the Navy, he was the checker champion of the 7th Fleet.

Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Betty Lou Williams; three children: Terri (Bruce) Deviney of Clinton, Dr. Scott Houston (Rebecca) of Brandon and Mark Houston of Madison. Grandchildren: Anna McMillian, Alisa McElveen, Adriene Lavender, Christina Houston, Stephen Houston, Courtney Gordon, J.D. Houston, Will Houston; eight great grandchildren; nephews, Bobby and Bryan Houston and niece Cynthia Mangum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Joe and Shellie Snow Houston; brother, James Robert (Bob) Houston; and sister, Bonnie Jean Houston.

Services are Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Raymond Road Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and interment at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery.