William J. Houghton

WHITEFIELD - William J. Houghton, 82, of Whitefield, passed away early on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at the Laconia Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in his family home in Twin Mountain in 1931. His parents, Arthur and Cecilia (Guyon) Houghton, were the owners of Hilltop vacation cabins. Billy, as he was known to his family and friends, loved life with his two older brothers, Arthur and Patrick in the White Mountains. He graduated from Twin Mountain High school in 1947 and soon after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving his country during the Korean War as an infantryman and earning an honorable discharge as sergeant.

In 1956 he met the love of his life, Claire Wernig. Bill and Claire were married on July 6, 1957. They raised their three children in Whitefield and for five years owned and operated the Hilltop cabin business in Twin Mountain. Bill shared his love of the mountains with his children by teaching them how to hunt, fish, hike and ski. Many happy family hours were spent waiting for the fish to bite.

In 2007 Bill and Claire celebrated 50 years of marriage with a grand party given by his children. He was very surprised and happy to see more than 100 family and friends in attendance. Bill loved his pets too, espcially his devoted black Labrador, Max.

Bill worked as a plumber/pipe fitter for most of his career and was a retired member of Local 131 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union. In his retirement years he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, especially his four grandchildren. He would spoil them with candy and ice cream at any opportunity.

Bill was an active member of the Whitefield VFW Post 10675 and a communicant at the Gate of Heaven Parish.

Bill was preceeded in death by his parents, a brother Patrick, and a brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Agnes. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Claire, two sons, Michael and Matthew Houghton of Whitefield, a daughter Susan Kopf and her husband Andy, of Hampden, Maine, and four grandchildren, Jacob and Mikaela Houghton and Alex and Nick Kopf.

.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, at Ross Funeral Home, Whitefield Chapel, 69 Lancaster Road, Whitefield, 03598. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at St. Mathew's Catholic Church, 9 Jefferson Road, Whitefield, 03598. Those who wish may make donations in memory of Bill Houghton to the VFW Memorial Fund, 23 Prospect St. Whitefield, 03598. For more information or to send a private note of condolence to the family go to www.RossFuneral.com.