Rev. J. William (Bill) Houran
Deceased: 2007-09-28
Diocese: SPRINGFIELD IN MASS
Seminary Graduation Year: 1953
The Reverend John William “Bill” Houran, 80, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL(formerly of Decatur) died Friday, September 28, 2007 in North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach, FL. Father Houran was born August 20, 1927, the son of Virgil John and Eileen Hogan Houran. Fr. Houran graduated from St.Teresa High School, Decatur,IL and St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, St. Louis, MO. He was a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College while studying for his Philosophy and Theology degrees at the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 1952 by His Eminence Clement Cardinal Micara at the Basilica of St, John Lateran, Rome. He was Executive Secretary of the North American College Alumni Association from 1971 until 1996. Father Houran received the first “Governors Award” from the Episcopal Board of Governors of the Pontifical North American College, presented by James Cardinal Hickey, Chairman, on June 25, 1996. Rev. Houran had the following assignments in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois: Assistant Pastor, September 1953, St. Paul, Highland; July 1957, St. Anthony, Effingham; September 1961, Ss. Peter and Paul, Collinsville; Vicar Substitute, September 1964, St. Alphonsus, Brighton; Pastor, January 1966, St. Alphonsus, Brighton; Member, December 1972, Commission for Ecumenism; Administrator, September 1973, St. Dennis, Shipman (while remaining pastor for St. Alphonsus, Brighton); Pastor, November 1979, St. Matthew, Alton; September 1980, St. Raymond, Raymond; Chairperson, November 1985 Commission for the Conciliation and Arbitration; Member, June 1986, Commission for Continuing Education for Priests; Chairperson, November 1986, Commission for Conciliation and Arbitration; Pastor, September 1988, St. Cecelia, Glen Carbon; Chaplain; May 1991, St. Vincent Hospital, Taylorville; Administrator, August 1992, St. Elizabeth, Marine, St. Gertrude, Grantfork, and St. James and St. Jacob. Fr. Houran retired in October of 1993. Fr. Houran continued serving in retirement in Fort Lauderdale, FL at St. Anthony’s Parish, Blessed Sacrament Parish, as a Chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital and in the Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Ministry. He was a member of the Archdiocese of Miami Catholic Charities Board of Directors; Catholic Charities Services HIV/AIDS Board; Catholic Charities Substance Abuse Board. He was a member of the Broward County Catholic Charities Board of Directors and the Broward County Catholic Charities Fund Raising Board. Recipient of the Broward Catholic Charities, Elizabeth Mitchum Volunteer of the Year Award “1997.” Elected to Fort Lauderdale Kiwanis Club Board of Directors in 2004. Fr. Houran is survived by his sister: Mary Anne Behnke of Decatur; nieces: Anne Eileen Behnke, Southborough, MA; Michelle Behnke Hubbs, (Dan) Queensbury, NY; nephews: John David Behnke, Atlanta, GA; Stephen Houran Behnke, Washington, D.C.; W. Christopher Behnke (Erin), Decatur, IL; William G. Behnke (Debbie), San Antonio, TX; three great nephews and six great nieces. Father John William Houran was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law: David C. Behnke. Memorials: St. Patrick’s Church, Decatur, IL and St. Teresa High School Building Fund. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,524 E. Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2007 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, presided by The Most Rev. George J. Lucas, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois. Homilist will be The Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, Archbishop Emeritus of Hartford, CT. Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Obituary written by family members.
