William & Clara Houck

William “Bill” Houck May 25, 1914 ~ January 29, 2011 Clara Metcalf Houck August 10, 1916 ~ February 2, 2011 Bill Houck, 96 and Clara (Metcalf) Houck, 94 of Chittenango passed away last week. Bill was born in Hamden, NY, the son of Willmott and Anna Armstrong Houck. He drove a school bus, worked at Metcalf's Hardware Store, and was the owner of Bill's Fix It Shop. In addition to his love of fishing, hunting, caning chairs and digging ginseng, he was a trustee of the Chittenango United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Canal Boat Museum and supported the American Field Service (foreign exchange student) in central New York, guiding and assisting youth in our village. Bill was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Raymond and Willmott, & two sisters Hila and Ida. Clara was born in Chittenango, NY, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Mildred Metcalf. She was a lifetime resident graduating from Chittenango High School in 1934 and SUNY Albany in 1939 with a degree in Library Science and took additional classes at SU School of Information Studies. Clara worked for 25 years as an Elementary School Librarian in the Chittenango Central School District where she acted not only as an educator but as a guide and mentor to the youth of Chittenango. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, O.E.S. Beatrice Chapter No. 398 and Silver Star No. 21, Chittenango Canal Boat Museum, CNY Postcard Club, Madison County Historical Society as well playing a major role in the growth of the community. Clara, with her love of reading and children, played a critical role in the establishment of the Sullivan Free Library and her passion for L. Frank Baum and the Wizard of Oz led her to initiate the annual tribute that has taken place for the last 32 years. Clara enjoyed history and genealogy serving for many years as genealogist for both Madison County and the Village of Chittenango. Clara was predeceased by a brother Walter and a sister Lucille. They are survived by three sons; William (Joyce) Houck, Jr. of Brant Lake, Ralph (Mary) Houck of Port Matilda, PA, and Raymond (Sharon) Houck of Chittenango; a daughter Barbara (Robert) Sgroi of Canastota; Bill’s three sisters Eva Bailey of Dowling Park, FL; Thelma Palmer of Bainbridge and Harriet (Robert) Wisse of Bullock, NC, and Clara’s sister Frances Grasmeyer; nine grandchildren Russell, Roger (Melanie), Heather (Sterl), Kirsten (David), Karl (Angie), L. Catherine, Ami (Mike), Brandon and Kyle; four great grandchildren Stephanie, Holden, Trace, and Zoe; cousin Charlotte Houck of Binghamton, numerous nieces and nephews. Other family members include: Steve Merritt of Apache Junction, AZ, Clement (Lydia) Obonyo of Kampala, Uganda and Bent Jensen of Viborg, Denmark. Bill and Clara were married for 69 years. No family or community was ever so blessed. Memorial services will be 11 am Saturday, February 12th at the Chittenango United Methodist Church, 205 Falls Blvd., Chittenango. Arrangements by the B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St., Camillus. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Chittenango United Methodist Church, 205 Falls Blvd., or Sullivan Free Library, 101 Falls Blvd., Chittenango, NY 13037. Please sign their guestbook online at www.BLBUSH.com