William 'Bill' Houck, age 68, of Wolsey, SD, died Thursday, August 28, 2008, at the Lake Region Healthcare Center in Fergus Falls, MN.

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, at the Wolsey High School Gymnasium with burial in the Wolsey Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Monday, September 1, at the Welter Funeral Home with a Prayer service at 7 p.m.; and Tuesday afternoon one hour prior to the service in Wolsey.

William H. Houck was born on September 15, 1939, to Cecil and Jessie (Marshall) Houck in Huron, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at the Broadland Methodist Church. Bill attended Markell Country School grades first through eighth, and graduated from Wolsey High school. He participated in all music and sporting events and holds the retired record in the 880 yard run and was a member of the 1955 and 1957 boy's basketball team that participated in the State B Tournament.

Bill kept score and ran the clock, etc. at home basketball and football games for many years. He was involved in many community activities; installing the filter in the swimming pool, sodding the football field, and paving the track.

He was an active member of the Wolsey Fire Department, acting as assistant chief for many years. Bill also participated in the community programs, Onward Wolsey Community and Business Association; served on the town board and the Southern Spink Northern Beadle Water Board; was instrumental in starting the Wild Game Feed, Firemen's Breakfast, and the Goat Races; and he received the Onward Wolsey Businesses Community Service award in the spring of 2008.

Bill started to work at Carson Locker in 1956, and he purchased the locker in 1965 and continued to operate it until 1977. During this time he drove school bus for several years. He also was the owner, operator of Houck Trucking. He started working as a carpenter in the early 1980's and continued to do carpentry until his health failed.

On July 30, 1956, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ethel Carson in Mitchell, SD. He was very proud of and enjoyed his three daughters and their families.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary of Wolsey; his 3 daughters, Kathy Price of Wessington, Rhonda (Ken) Soderlin of Martin, and Donene Skorheim of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren, Ryan (Tami) Mueller, Lindsay (Kevin) Haider, Ramy (Justin) Boomer, Destiny (Shane) Finn, Jacob Carson Price, Andrea (Drew) Mueller, Brady (Heather) Hastings, Kortney (Brad) Jungemann, Leslie Mueller, and Seth Houck Hastings; 14 great grandchildren, Brayden Mueller, Kyler Mueller, Tate Haider, Chantel Haider, Brynn Haider, Keegan Haider, Kendyn Boomer, Kynlea Boomer, Taylor Finn, Lanessa Finn, Jesse Hastings, Rayden Hastings, Mason Hastings, and Colton Jungemann; 4 step grandchildren; 7 great step grandchildren; 1 brother Donald (Lois) Houck of Wolsey; 2 sisters Marilyn (Dennis) Eggleston of Wessington, and Julie (Lynn) Bartells of Wolsey; his beloved mother-in-law, Hazel Carson of Wolsey; 3 sisters-in-law, Connie (Larry) Fuller of Clitherall, MN, Carol (Sherrill) Spencer of Alamogordo, NM, and Linda Payer of N. Sioux city, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother Ervin Houck; his father-in-law, Donald Carson; 1 brother-in-law, Donald E. Carson; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.