Obituary: Thomas William Houk Jr.

Bill Houk, age 81, passed peacefully on Friday, Jan. 30, surrounded by his loving wife and children. 

Thomas William (Bill) Houk, Jr. (June 4, 1944 - Jan. 30, 2026) was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he grew up with his mother, Eloise Houk (née Andrews), sister Margaret (Peggie) Crumley and uncles and nieces. 

He graduated from Johnson City Training School (University High) in 1962 and received an academic scholarship to attend North Carolina State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1966 with high honors. Then, he studied in Germany under a Fulbright scholarship before enrolling for a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned his degree in 1971. After postgraduate work at the University of California San Francisco, he and his wife, Mary Sue (nee Corbett) moved to Oxford in 1974 when Bill was recruited by the Miami University physics department. 

Bill was blessed to have found beloved mentors within the department and passed these gifts forward to his own students and new faculty throughout his tenure. For 39 years, Bill taught and researched in the field of biophysics, served the physics department as Chair for a decade, served on the University Senate and mentored dozens of bright and successful students. Upon retirement in 2013, some of his accomplishments included mentoring several faculty through tenure, securing an NSF grant of over $1.6 million to renovate lab space and encouraging the work of the faculty so that they became a nationally recognized physics education program. 

He did not limit his involvement to the University, but also served the community through membership on the Oxford Planning Commission, Historic Architectural and Preservation Committee, Kiwanis Club and involvement in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In his free time, Bill enjoyed sailing, traveling, Oxford Fun Hunt and officiating swim meets. From high school to collegiate and USA swimming athletics, Bill was often found on the pool deck around the tristate area and across the country, supporting his children and other swimmers and officials of all levels. 

The highlight of his officiating career was participating in the Paralympics and Olympic Trials meets. Above all else, Bill loved his family and time spent with friends. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Sue, children Andrea (Andi), Kathryn (Katie), Ronald (Ron) and Jessica (nee Young) and granddaughter Ainsley; along with loving nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and former students. 

This obituary was originally published by Paul R. Young Funeral Home and has been edited for length.