Bill was born July 2, 1932 in Coupeville, Washington, and died of natural causes in his home surrounded by his family on July 6, 2019. He grew up on Whidbey Island, where he learned the value of a strong work ethic and resiliency. Bill joined the Coast Guard and served 3 years in the Puget Sound area. After the service, he settled in the Seattle area where he opened Bill’s Shell Service Station that he owned for the next 23 years. He raised his family and called Seattle home for the rest of his life. Bill was active in his community as a member of the Elks, Jaycees and Eagles organizations. He loved travel, cars, car racing, sports, family and friends. “Needless to say,” he could entertain a crowd with his storytelling and contagious laughter. Bill could strike up a conversation with just about anyone and would always help anybody in need. You will never meet anybody stronger than Bill was; he was tougher than nails and had the amazing ability to take life in stride. He and his wife Peggy enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV, sampling ice cream from every town along the way. He will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife Margaret (Peggy) Houghtaling; his three children: Sandy Osborne, Sam Houghtaling, and Debbie Hoyt; stepchildren Mike, Angela, Sharon and Randy Gusa; sister Esther Gabeline; brothers Claude and Al Houghtaling; and many grandchildren.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents Tom and Faye Houghtaling, sisters Hazel Williams and Harriet Clark, brothers Hank and Tom Houghtaling, and grandson Jesse Houghtaling. An open memorial service for Bill will be held on Monday July 22, 2019, 2:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children, PO Box 110760, Tacoma, WA 98411-0760 or donate online at waelks.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com for the Houghtaling family
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