Obituary of William Byron Houston

William Byron “Barney” Houston, Sr. passed away on May 22, 2022.  He was born on October 19, 1931 in Washington D.C. to Jesse Clinton Houston and Helen Frances Houston, nee Dwyer.  Barney valued education. He graduated first in his class at Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C., graduated with honors from Catholic University with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, and graduated also with honors from Stevens Institute of Technology with a Master’s in Electric Engineering.  After graduating from Catholic University, he enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served.  While on leave from Officer Candidate School, a friend set him up on a blind date with Carol Cox, a student at Trinity College, who he wooed and married on September 15, 1956.  They raised three children while living in Syracuse, New York, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and Glen Ridge, New Jersey.  After their children were grown, they moved to Mendham, New Jersey.

Barney began his career at General Electric Carrier Division and eventually retired from BAE Systems where he designed guidance systems.  He was active in Toastmasters International and also in the Knights of Columbus where he rose to the rank of Grand Knight.  After retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the Seeing Eye of Morristown and for St Joseph’s Church in Mendham.  He enjoyed attending retreats at Loyola Retreat House in Morristown, and in 2015 received a plaque commemorating his participation in 40 retreats.  Barney loved to travel, and enjoyed trips to St Petersburg, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Alaska, as well as family vacations to the Outer Banks.

Barney was predeceased by his parents, and his 11 siblings: Helen Frances Maddox, James Knox “Buddy” Houston, Evelyn Kaufman, Margaret Webb, Mary Brown, Jessie Brown, Elnora “Noni” Coffin, Jean McCarthy, Robert Houston, Phyllis Hayhoe, and Donald Houston

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol; his children William Byron Houston Jr.  (Vickie Chang) of Costa Rica, Mary Elizabeth Faust (Steven) of Jefferson Township, NJ, and Kathryn Ann Porcelli (Thomas) of Succasunna, NJ; his grandchildren Liam Houston (Chloe), Emma Houston, Elizabeth Houston, Sarah Faust, Rachel Faust (Kevin Palm), Allison Porcelli, and Thomas Porcelli; and his great-grandchild Charlotte Reuel Houston; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday May 30 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday May 31 at 11 am at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Mendham, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Barney’s honor to either St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Mendham, NJ https://www.stjoesmendham.org/ways-to-give  or to the Glaucoma Research Foundation https://getinvolved.glaucoma.org/donate