William Houston Obituary

Boise - Dr. William O. Houston, Jr., 93, of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his daughters on July 5, 2025. Born August 8, 1931, in Pueblo, Colorado, to William and Vera Houston, Bill moved to Boise at age 6 with his family. He attended St. Joseph's Elementary, Saint Teresa's Academy, Franklin High School, and graduated from Boise High School in 1949, where he met his sweetheart and future wife, Betty Jean Freeman.

Bill married Betty Jean in 1952 while he was completing his undergraduate studies at Saint Martin's College in Olympia, WA. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University, Omaha, NE, in 1955. Upon graduation Bill served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Among other locations, Bill was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base. After his honorable discharge from military service, Bill completed postgraduate training and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Bill became a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He was also elected as a fellow of both the American and International Colleges of Dentists and held memberships in several professional organizations. Bill was a pioneer as the first Oral Surgeon in Idaho and treated patients from throughout Idaho and eastern Oregon.

In 1961, Bill and Betty Jean returned to Boise, where he enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in private practice until 2001. Bill was affiliated with both St. Alphonsus and St. Luke's hospitals. Simultaneous to his private practice and for an additional ten years, Bill treated patients and was a consultant at the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He loved his fellow veterans.

A dedicated community member, Bill served 10 years on the Board of Trustees for the Boise Independent School District, was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and was active in Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Fellowship. Bill was also awarded the St. George Medal by the American Cancer Society and honored as Distinguished Doctor of the Year by the St. Alphonsus Foundation. Bill was featured as a Seven's Hero on KTVB television on his 86th birthday.

Bill treated everyone with respect and dignity. Many times, a sack of fresh corn, a cord of wood or dolls for his girls would be delivered to his home. These gifts were from patients he treated who didn't have the financial resources to pay for his services. He never turned anyone away. Coming from humble beginnings, Bill had a soft spot for those less fortunate. For years, he and Betty Jean made sandwiches, accompanied by fruit and cookies, for the homeless shelter.

More than his professional and civic achievements, Bill was known for his gentle, caring and good-natured demeanor; His smile and laugh were infectious. In school his nickname was "The Grin". Bill had a deep commitment to his family and faith.

He and Betty Jean adopted twin daughters, Kelly and Shelly in 1963 and remained deeply involved in their lives. Bill attended daily mass at St. John's Cathedral and cherished time spent with his church community. His favorite scripture, "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34), was the guiding principle in his life, which Bill lived to the fullest.

Bill had a great love for Idaho's outdoors - camping, fishing and skiing. In true Idaho fashion, he taught Kelly and Shelly how to fish at a very young age. Bill enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the condo in Sun Valley and in McCall. He was a collector of books and a passionate reader. Bill was a great storyteller and because of his acute memory and intelligence kept the history of Boise alive for his family and friends. One of Bill's favorite activities was competing in dog trials and bonding with his beloved Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, especially Kodi.

Bill is survived by his daughters Kelly Houston Staskey (Daryl) and Shelly Houston, sister Mary Jane Hammer, many nieces and nephews, and his cherished dog Kodi. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean, sister and brother-in-law Vera LeJeanne and Robert Jones, his nephew John Jones, and his parents.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, July 16, at 11:00 am, at St. John's Cathedral in Boise. Prior to the funeral there will be a recitation of the rosary at 10:00 am, followed by a viewing. Burial will follow at Morris Hill Cemetery. Donations can be made to The Diane Moore Nature Center or a favorite charity. Arrangements by Cloverdale Funeral Home.