Cliff Houy

Clifford Walter Houy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was called by his Savior on December 11, 2010. Born on February 3, 1926 in Palo Alto, Texas, Cliff was raised in Fredericksburg Texas and graduated from high school in 1943. While attending Southwest Texas State University in 1944, Uncle Sam called him to active duty as a WW II Aerial Tail Gunner on a B-24 bomber and later served with Occupational Forces in Japan during 1945-46.

In 1949, Cliff received his B.B.A. in Business Management from Southern Methodist University. He was recalled into the USAF in 1950 and commissioned. Cliff received his pilot wings, was promoted to first lieutenant and married to Bunny the love of his life all on the same day of March 22, 1952. They relocated to Tyndall AFB FL., then onto Selfridge AFB MI., reassigned to 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron which transferred to Tripoli North Africa, where he set high altitude record in an F-86 at 51,250 feet in 1953. Returning, stateside in 1954, he went to Clovis AFB NM. In 1956-60, Cliff was reassigned to the University of Texas Austin as an Assistant Professor of Air Science. Next, Cliff was sent to Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Reassigned as Base Operations Officer from 1961-63. His next tour was 4 years in Europe. He spent the first year helping close base operations at Chambley AFB in France. The next three years Cliff was reassigned as Air Liaison Advisor to the U.S. Army Commanding General in Augsburg and Stuttgart Germany and Cliff was honored with the Army Commendation Medal. Back stateside Cliff was reassigned as Flight Squadron Operations Officer at Andrews AFB, MD., from 1966-69. After serving 20 years of active duty in the USAF, Cliff retired at Bergstrom AFB TX., in 1970.

Cliff’s second career of seventeen years was State Executive Director CAE for the Texas Recreational Vehicle Association in Austin. Cliff wrote and published “The Rules of the Road” for out of state tourists. During this time he was an active member of TSAE.

Cliff is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Lena Franz Houy. He leaves behind his soulmate Bunny Houy of 58 years, daughter Pamela Porter, grandchildren Waylan Burke, Kimberly Bushong, Glendon Bushong, and great grandchild Kayia Burke, whom he loved all dearly and each were so much a part of his life.

Cliff served his community volunteering for South Austin Caregivers, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and ARC. He especially enjoyed football, baseball, running track, hand ball, jiujitsu, tennis and fishing. He loved spending genuine time with his grandchildren and was a special devoted grandfather. Cliff had a passion for life a never ending desire to live it to the fullest.

Heartfelt gratitude goes to his exercise therapists and many friends at Seton Medical Center SW, to the medical staff at The Summit and to the medical staff on the 6th floor of Seton Medical Center Austin.

Visitation will be at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, on Wednesday. Dec. 15th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services celebrating Cliff’s life will be held in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/ Forest Oaks on Thursday Dec. 16th at 10:00 a.m.

Private graveside services will be in Fredericksburg Texas at the Der Stadt Friedhoff Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church on Lavaca or Meals on Wheels Austin.