William A Houdashelt

William (Bill) A. Houdashelt was born on September 13, 1947 in Pensacola, Florida. As a young man, he worked at Mason Dulion and Hamrick’s and then taught welding and sheet metal at Pensacola High School for 30 years. Bill was a lifelong resident of Pensacola until his death on January 15, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. Bill met and married his wife of 55 years, Dee, and liked to brag how he “only paid $3 for her” – the cost of a marriage license in 1969. He said it was the luckiest day in his life. The love he shared with Dee was the epitome of partnership and mutual respect. Theirs was a love story that endured the test of time and showed us all the kind of love we aspire to have in our lives. He was not only a loving husband, but a devoted father and grandfather. Bill was always involved in their lives and was always there for them in their home life, academics and extracurricular activities – from ball at the Cantonment ballpark (where he spent most of his time coaching) to high school and on through college. His advice was always straight from the heart, even when the truth was tough to hear – he wanted to make sure you were equipped to deal with whatever came along. He was the embodiment of resilience and tenacity and worked tirelessly to ensure his family and those he held close were taken care of and that encircled many who were simply family to him. Bill’s eyes always lit up around children and he always showed incredible generosity of love, laughter, and adventures with anyone he could coax onto his golf cart or spend an afternoon fishing with. His pride and love for his family was never hidden. Bill was beloved as a teacher and you never went anywhere in town that someone did not recognize him or he did not know someone. He never met a stranger and if you needed help, something fixed or built, were hungry or tired, Bill was there to take care of you. He loved to tell stories and he loved his God. He was the most Goldy man most of us will ever know. He lived to serve others and never hesitated where there was a need. He was a confidante, a shoulder to lean on, a source of endless laughter and a beacon of true friendship. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Targuie “Elizabeth” Adams and Charles A. Houdashelt; brothers, Jerry Houdashelt and Sammy Houdashelt; and a sister, Carolyn Houdashelt. Also preceding Bill were his brothers-in-law, Pete Montiel, Terry Rathbone, Ronnie Borders and Wally Davis; sister-in-law, Faye Borders; and nephews, Jeffery and Marcus Montiel. Bill is survived by his wife, Delores “Dee” Houdashelt; daughter, Darlene Boatwright (Michael); son, Jason Houdashelt (Shanna); and grandchildren, Chance (Anna), Ashlie, DaeDae, Bryson, and Taylor (Kacie); great-granddaughter, Halle; sister, Anita Montiel; brothers, Buddy Houdashelt, Jimmy Houdashelt, Wayne Houdashelt and Marcus Houdashelt; sisters-in-law, Elaine Davis, Jane Faircloth (Eddie) and Melody Rathbone; many nieces and nephews; and his “adopted” children Tina Distefano (Shawn), Victor Floyd (Fay) and Lisa Kelson and many others who were special to Bill. Special thanks to Dr. Owera and staff, Hospice nurse Jillian and neighbors John and Carol. A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held on the grounds of the home he built and loved on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from noon to 4pm.

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William A Houdashelt

September 13, 1947 - January 15, 2025