Billy Harris Howton

1930 - 2025

Bill Howton, husband, father, brother and good friend, passed away peacefully Monday, August 4, 2025 in Houston, Texas after a long and lucky life.

Born in Littlefield, Texas, Bill graduated from Plainview High School in 1948 and then received a scholarship from Rice University for track and field. When he moved to Houston, Rice also recruited Bill for the football team, and he began a long career in football. Bill was an All-American wide receiver at Rice, is a member of the Rice Hall of Fame, and has his name recognized on the stadium's Ring of Honor.

In 1952 Bill made two big decision - first, he married his college sweetheart, Sandra Bourgoin. And second, he signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers and joined the NFL.

Bill set numerous receiving records with the Packers, some of which still stand today, and he scored the first Packer touchdown ever at Lambeau Field. He was a Pro Bowler, and in 1973 he was inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame.

After seven years in Green Bay, Bill was traded in 1959 to the Cleveland Browns, and then in 1960, upon Bill's request to return to Texas, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, the newest expansion team in the league. He played the rest of his football career in Dallas, playing for Coach Tom Landry with quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith.

Bill was also a founder and the first President of the NFL Players' Association.

Years after Bill retired from football, while on a trip to Europe, he met Carmen Fanlo, a Spanish lady from Madrid. In 1989 he moved to Madrid to be with her, and he stayed with her there for the rest of her life. After her passing in 2019 he moved back to Houston, Texas.

Bill is survived by his sister, Sylvia Baker, and by Sylvia's daughter Linda and son-in-law Fletcher. He is also survived by his three children - Karin and her daughter Katie; Kimberly and her husband Chris; and William and his wife Rita and step-daughter Gabriella. Bill was predeceased by his brother, Jack Howton, but is survived by Jack's sons, Steven, Scott and Marc.

The family will have a small private ceremony to honor Bill. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at The Village of River Oaks for their warmth, care and comfort to Bill in his last few years.