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William Berrien Houseman
1937 - 2016
William Berrien Houseman
1937 - 2016
Obituary
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William Houseman Obituary
The graveside funeral service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 30, at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, with the Reverend Buzz Yarborough officiating. Burial will follow the service.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers will be Joseph W. Taylor, C. Eric Tiller, Kevin Shaffer, S. Winn Baker, Barney D. Riley Jr., Joseph G. Riley and Judge Coy H. Temples. Honorary pallbearers will be William B. Harvill, Edward Cheshire, Clyde A. Taylor III, James S. Bomar and Richard L. Lammerding.
Captain Houseman was born January 1, 1937, and was a descendent of some of the earliest European settlers of coastal Georgia. He was a native of Brunswick, Georgia, where he attended schools and graduated from Glynn Academy in Brunswick and The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps for eight years and was a jet fighter pilot and veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a pilot for Delta Airlines for 30 years, including 18 years as Captain. During this period, he served for a time as Line Check Airman, Assistant Chief Pilot in Atlanta, Manager of Flight Standards (B727), and ran New Hire Orientation for ALPA, the pilots' union. Upon retirement, he returned home to reside on St. Simons Island, where he served in a number of local organizations, including the Civil Air Patrol and Glynn County Airport Commission.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marguerite Riley Houseman; his children, Frank B. Houseman of St. Simons Island, Joseph B. Houseman and wife, Merideth Sealock Houseman, of Sandy Springs, Ga., and L. Ashley Houseman Shaffer and husband, Kevin Allen Shaffer, of Charlotte, N.C.; a brother, Ernest O. Houseman of Orlando, Fla.; two grandchildren, Riley Jane and Huntington Berrien Houseman, of Sandy Springs; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409.
Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Malone Moore
January 22, 2017
My parents thought a lot of Bill (Malcolm and Polly Kitchens) and I remember meeting him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Malone Kitchens Moore
Terrence Croft
January 11, 2017
Captain Bill Houseman was proud to walk his daughter Ashley down the isle and attend her wedding reception before he left us. Although he was my friend for 40 years, I was always glad to see him and enjoy his perspective and wit. GodSpeed, Bill.
Desmond Browne, Sr.
January 10, 2017
Marguerite and family: I am so sad to hear of your loss. Bill and I were good friends for almost 60 years - since flying together in VMF-122 in Beaufort, SC in 1959. Bill was a model Marine Corps Officer, excellent aviator and true American. I know he will be sorely missed by all. I will remember him in my prayers. I know he's gone on to a better place. May he RIP.
Des Browne, Colonel, USMC, Retired
January 9, 2017
Bill "Gator" Houseman and I were in Marine Fighter Squadron 122 in the early '60's and flew F8 Crusaders together frequently. He was a professional Fighter Pilot, good friend, and superb wingman. We stayed in touch over the years and enjoyed a memorable lunch in 1980 to renew our friendship and tell sea stories, some of which were even true. Gator made a difference in many ways. He was a good Marine and true southern gentleman as well as a great friend. We had a number of "adventures" in the F8, most of which would not be possible in today's environment. These memories remain priceless. Col Phil Hinkle USMC(ret)
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Joe Reid Secretary, DGW
January 3, 2017
On behalf of Delta Golden Wings (DGW), a retired pilot organization, we would like to offer our condolences on the passing of Captain Houseman. In addition to his distinguished career with Delta, Bill was a member of DGW. We will miss him.
Merry Croft
January 2, 2017
Marguerite, Bill always honored our friendship and I loved him for that alone! He also gave to me when no one was looking. Then he taught us to fight the good fight. Remember, from His vantage point, life is viewed with extreme clarity and hope. Our prayers and love are with you, always, Merry
Pat Jordan
January 1, 2017
Teri and I send our heartfelt condolences to Marguerite and the family. While we were neighbors in River Chase, I had the pleasure and honor of working for him in the newly created Flight Standards department at Delta. He was an outstanding role model and mentor, an exceptional pilot, and one who truly loved Delta. I am grateful to have known him.
Candy Baker
January 1, 2017
I grew up calling him Uncle Billy, he was a lot of fun to be around when we were kids! I will miss him.
Lynn (Lipp) McBride
December 31, 2016
Marguerite and family,
I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing. I did not know Bill but he seemed a wonderful man and I know you loved him and will miss him every day. I also know you shall see him again and that brings some peace. I am grateful for the hours we spent together in Living Well group(s) and pray those skills surface during this difficult time. Love to you, Lynn (Lipp) McBride
PS: as you may (or not) know I (also) married (finally in 2013) a Marine Air Officer - and thought that may give you pause to smile.
Tre' Harris
December 31, 2016
I will always have fond memories of Capt Houseman and his family! I first met him when I roomed with his son Chip (Frank) at the Citadel in 1985. He advised me in my military career and ensured I had a smooth transition to the airlines some 17 years ago. He will be missed. (PS: We put his Valkyrie boat on a sandbar at midnight on the intercoastal while he was fast asleep! I will never forget that stern look on his face when he came up to help Chip and I extricate it. Haha! ).
Laura Satterly
December 30, 2016
Ashley & Kevin, Marguerite, and all of the Houseman family and friends, I'm so sorry for your loss. He raised such a wonderful family, I know he will be deeply missed. I'm sending you prayers and hugs and am here for you. Much love,
Pete Sellen
December 30, 2016
Good memories. Bill was a great guy. I flew with him several times. He will be missed. Capt. Peter Sellen Ret.
December 30, 2016
We send our condolence to all of the family in the passing of Bill. Our memories go back many years. Charles and Dottie Bethel
Meredith and Stephen Rowland
December 29, 2016
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for the peace and love of God to fill and surround you during this time of sorrow and always.
Michelle Baker
December 29, 2016
I have such fond memories of Mr Houseman. I used to serve him in the Oak Room at Sea Island. Such a gentleman! My favorite memory is he never signed his real name on his receipt, it was also a president or a famous actor. Heaven gain a wonderful man. Sending lots of prayers to the Houseman family.
John Moran
December 29, 2016
Bill was a fine man and Pilot. We worked together and I valued his work ethic and advice. The Airline was a better place due to his presence.
December 29, 2016
I will always have fond memories of Bill. My first encounter was as a student in formation flying at Pensacola, it was actually fun flying with him. Then later found him the same person on a 767ER check.
Jack Newberry
December 29, 2016
A True Gentleman!
Bob Measles
Roscoe McMillan
December 29, 2016
Bill was about as good as it gets. He was remarkable in his dedication to duty and cheerful in all situations and weathers. Competent beyond expert in all matters of his job, he was generous to a fault. I went out to see him come in on his retirement flight and he was in the right seat with a new captain in the left seat coming into the gate the last time. The man had more leadership in the tip of his little finger than most of us acquire in a lifetime. I was shocked and sorry he is gone. I shall miss him a lot.
Harry Alger
December 29, 2016
Bill shall always be respected and remembered by me as a true gentleman and humble human being. He loved our company and country with total conviction and passion. Damn good man was Bill.
Alice and myself send our warmest sympathy to the Houseman family.
December 29, 2016
From the Glynn Academy Cass of '54: Bill will be truly missed by our class, he was a southern gentleman and we send our thoughts and prayers to Marguerite and their children.
December 29, 2016
WHEN I ENTERED THE COCKPIT & SAW BILL THERE, IT ALWAYS
BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY FACE. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER
I WAS A NEW HIRE ENGINEER OR A NEW COPILOT; HIS WELCOMING SMILE, DEMEANOR & CALM, CARING TEACHING STYLE, MADE HIM ONE OF MY FAVORITE CAPTAINS. HE WILL BE MISSED, BUT AS YOU CAN TELL, HIS MEMORY OF HOW HE "DID IT THE RIGHT WAY", LIVES ON. HE WAS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE DELTA PILOT. GREATEST RESPECT.
BLESSINGS & PEACE TO HIS FAMILY,
WALLY (GW) PETERSEN
ATL 764 Ret.
Harry Ballance
December 29, 2016
It saddens me to hear of Bill's death. We first flew together on the DC-6, and I was impressed with what a nice guy and conscientious pilot he was. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was one of those who made my career at Delta so rich and meaningful.
Mike Birdsong
December 29, 2016
I will always remember Bill for his warm and kind manner. He was a true Southern Gentleman for whom I have the utmost respect. Patti and I send our deepest sympathy to his family.
Bob Teasley
December 28, 2016
Bill was a fine gentleman! I am honored to have worked with him at Delta Air Lines and to have known him as a friend. My sincere condolences to his family during this most difficult time!
Bob Teasley
Tierra Verde, FL
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3321 Glynn Ave, Brunswick, GA 31520
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