William Everett Houghton, 89, of Walpole, NH, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 27, 2022, after a period of declining health. William (Bill) was born on April 16, 1933, in Bellows Falls, VT to the late Everett E. and Esther M. (Moultrop) Houghton. He enjoyed 62 years of marriage with his wife, Nancianne whom he married in 1958. Together, they raised four children. Bill was a loving husband, father and friend. Bill devoted much of his life to serving the Town of Walpole and its residents through his work.

Bill grew up in Walpole and attended Walpole Schools, being of the first class to graduate from the “new” Walpole High School. He excelled in sports and especially enjoyed his time on the basketball court and baseball field.  

After graduating in 1951, he enlisted in the Army during the Korean war, stationed in Alaska for much of his four-year deployment. Bill returned to Walpole after serving and took over Everett E. Houghton Company, a plumbing and electrical business that was started by his father in 1948. He remained an active part of the business until his retirement in 2019. He was the superintendent of the Walpole Water and Sewer Department for many years, overseeing the maintenance and improvements of the town water supply and distribution system.

Bill was an active member of the Walpole Fire Department for 70-years, serving at various times as lieutenant, captain, and the Town Forest Fire Warden for 34-years, before retiring in 2019. He was active in the American Legion Post 77 of Walpole, NH and he was a member of the Congregational Church of Walpole. Bill was the local NOAA weather observer for Walpole for many years. Bill enjoyed yardwork, and traveling with his wife after retiring, and in his younger days, farming, hunting, beekeeping, and snowmobiling.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Nancianne D. Houghton. Surviving family members include his two brothers, Donald (Joanne) Houghton, and David (Nancy) Houghton, one sister, Joan (Michael) Bernbach and sister in-law, June Houghton, his four sons, Scott Luther-Houghton, and his wife, Laurie of Acworth, Todd Houghton, and his wife, Judy of Keene, Mark Houghton, and his wife, Brooke of Walpole, and Kurt Houghton and his wife, Carrie of Ijamsville, MD, as well as nine grandchildren, Cassandra, Katelyn, Kyle, Maria, Griselda, Audrey, William, Ethan, and Emily, and two great-grandsons, Daymein and Michael.

There will be no calling hours. The funeral service will be held October 8, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Walpole, NH followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will follow at the Walpole Cemetery with Military honors. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Bill’s memory to, Walpole Fire-EMS, PO Box 162, Walpole, NH 03608. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster St., Bellows Falls VT.