William H. Houston

A retired Allied Chemical mechanic, a resident of Baker and a native ofVicksburg, Miss., he died Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, at 10:30 p.m.at Our Lady of theLakeRegionalMedicalCenter. He was 79 and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., was on Wednesday from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m.Visiting atFirstUnitedMethodistChurchon Thursday from 9:30 a.m.until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Chris Andrews. Interment inHillcrestMemorialGardensin Baker. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Bertha Mae Hebert Houston; son and daughter-in-law, William H. "Willie" Houston III and JoAnn Houston; two grandsons, Jeremy Wayne Houston and U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Joshua Scott Houston; and special nephew, Ronald Earl "Ronnie" Rachal. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. Houston Sr. and Annie L. Bell Houston; sister, Annie Louise Rachal; and brother-in-law, Earl Horace Rachal. He was a member ofFirstUnitedMethodistChurchand Baker Lodge 441 F&AM. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the doctors and staff of Our Lady of theLakeRegionalMedicalCenterand to family and friends for their caring and compassion. Pallbearers will be Jeremy W. Houston, Joshua S. Houston, Gerald W. Guillory, Alton Roy, Robert L. Roy and Sam Hayes. Honorary pallbearers are Rives Verett, Edwin Bates and Bobby Rachal. Memorial donations may be made toFirstUnitedMethodistChurch.