William M. Houston

1923 - 2020

Marine Corps.
Korean WarWWII

Their Story

William M. Houston “Bill” was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, on November 7, 1923, the son of Glenn H. and Cora (Wilson) Houston.[1] He graduated from Allerton High School in Allerton, Iowa, and attended American Institute of Commerce (AIC), in Davenport, Iowa.[2]  Before his enlistment in the U. S. Marine Corps on January 12, 1942, he was employed by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.[3]

Bill completed basic training at the U. S. Marine Corps base at San Diego, California (Camp Elliot). Before leaving for the Pacific Theater, he was promoted to private first class and was clerk to the top sergeant at Camp Elliot. 

PFC Houston was one of several thousand Marines who marched 50 miles to Camp Pendleton over four days starting September 1, 1942, from Camp Elliot. They were the first Marines at Camp Pendleton.[4]  “We walked in, but there was no gate — they hadn’t put it up yet,” said First Sergeant John Farritor in his book, Through it All: Stories ‘from the Top.’ In the book the first sergeant was referred to as “Top” by the men.

PFC Houston went home on leave after the Camp Pendleton march and then shipped out to an undisclosed location in the Pacific on October 25, 1942.

Bill was promoted from staff sergeant to technical sergeant. In January 1946, it was recorded that First Sergeant Houston was discharged[5] and then joined the Marine Corps Reserve. On September 6, 1947, Bill was united in marriage to Betty M. Behm in Davenport, Iowa. First Sergeant Houston was recalled to service during the Korean War, after which he was discharged in July 1951.[6]

After the war Bill worked for Davenport Engineering Co. and later retired as a sales representative for the Foundry Division of the Ferro Corporation of Buffalo, New York.

Bill was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf where he and Betty were founding members. He was also a member of QC Plus-60 Club, the Marine Corps League, and Gyro International where he was a member and past-governor.
Bill was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid golfer, especially proud of his hole-in-one.

Bill died September 17, 2020. He had been married to Betty for 73 years.
They had a daughter and a son.

SGT William M. Houston (1923-2020) – Find a Grave Memorial

[1] SGT William M. Houston (1923-2020) – Find a Grave Memorial

[2] Clipping from The Daily Times – Newspapers.com

[3] 16 Feb 1944, 9 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com

[4] Veteran recalls Sept. 1942 opening of Pendleton – Baltimore Sun

[5] 18 Jan 1946, 21 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com

[6] 12 Jul 1951, 15 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com

References

SGT William M. Houston (1923-2020) – Find a Grave Memorial (accessed 10 May 2022), memorial page for SGT William M. Houston (7 Nov 1923–17 Sep 2020), Find a Grave Memorial ID 215779706, citing Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Ken Nagel (contributor 47221898)

The Daily Times, Davenport, Iowa, 12 Jul 1951, Thu,  Page 15 12 Jul 1951, 15 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com  (Accessed 10 May 2022)

The Daily Times Davenport, Iowa 18 Jan 1946, Fri •  Page 21 18 Jan 1946, 21 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com (Accessed 10 May 2022)

The Daily Times Davenport, Iowa 16 Sep 1942, Wed Page 16  Clipping from The Daily Times – Newspapers.com  (Accessed 10 May 2022)

The Daily Times Davenport, Ia 16 Feb 1944, Wed  Page 9  16 Feb 1944, 9 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com (Accessed 10 May 2022)

Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 20, 2017, baltimoresun.com

Veteran recalls Sept. 1942 opening of Pendleton, Veteran recalls Sept. 1942 opening of Pendleton – Baltimore Sun  (Accessed 10 May 2022