William Rae Houlihan, of Freeland, Wash., passed away peacefully at Harborview Medical Center surrounded by his loving family on March 6, 2014, at the age of 83.

He was born in Butte, Mont., Jan. 9, 1931 to Isabel and Sylvester Houlihan. Rae attended Garfield Elementary, Butte High School and Eastern Montana College in Billings, Mont. He was married to his beloved wife of over 60 years, Darlene Riley, on April 19, 1953. Rae served two years with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Virgo, an attack cargo ship.

Rae worked construction, building an oil refinery in Billings, installing Otis Elevator systems, worked as a mechanic for Murray Motor Company and served as a clerk for Milwaukee Rail Road.

He then began a 32-year career with Stauffer Chemical Company, retiring as a supervisor.

Rae was a troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Butte Elks Lodge, the Congregational Church of Butte, and the Langley United Methodist Church. Darlene and Rae relocated to Freeland, Wash., in 2001 to be near their first grandchild.

Rae’s favorite activities included spending time with family at the cabin on Montana’s Flathead Lake (a good joke). He was an avid outdoors man, enjoyed hunting, fishing and exploring the back roads of Montana, and he loved his Harley-Davidson.

Survivors include his wife Darlene, children Michael (Claire) Houlihan, Shannon (Lance) Yale and Heather (Greg) Koch. He is also survived by grandchildren: Riley and Callahan Yale, Katherine and Zachary Houlihan; step-grandchildren: Christopher and Lucas Yale, Tiah (Chris) Godfrey and Amanda Koch and by step-great-grandchildren: Taylor, Natalie and Danielle Godfrey.

Memorial services for Rae Houlihan will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Langley United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Cheer Food Bank, Langley, Wash.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences utilizing the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneral

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