WILMINGTON — William “Butch” Dickson Houck, 83, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by the comfort and love of his family.
Butch was born on June 7, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ross and Dorothy Houck. Although born in Michigan, his roots were firmly planted in the mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina, where he spent much of his youth and developed a lifelong love for the outdoors, fishing, and the mountain roads he would come to know by heart.
He later made his home and built his career in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After attending R.J. Reynolds High School, Class of 1964, he earned a drafting degree from Forsyth Technical Institute. With a keen eye for design and a passion for his craft, Butch founded Houck Designs and spent more than 40 years designing custom homes throughout the region. His work reflected the same qualities that defined his life: creativity, integrity, attention to detail, and pride in a job well done.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Dorothy Houck, and his beloved sisters, Erta-Anne and Patricia.
He is survived by his son, Hunter Houck, and daughter-in-law, Monica Houck, of Wilmington, North Carolina; his daughter, Leah Pegram, and son-in-law, Alan Pegram, of Lewisville, North Carolina; and four grandchildren whom he loved dearly: William Pegram, Taylor Pegram, Worthy Pegram-Smith, and Haley Fentress (Houck). He was also a proud great-grandfather to Liam Pegram and eagerly anticipated the arrival of another great-grandson, Mason Fentress, who is due in January 2027.
To know Butch was to know his love of people, adventure, and the outdoors. He passed along those passions to everyone willing to listen. Many family members and friends will smile remembering days spent along mountain trout streams, where it often seemed more enjoyable to watch Butch fish than to fish themselves. His skill with a fly rod was remarkable, and his appreciation for nature was contagious.
His love of adventure extended well beyond the water. Whether riding his Harley-Davidson through the mountains or later carving through the curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway in his beloved Lexus sports car, Butch embraced the joy of the open road. He never needed a GPS. Every curve, overlook, gas station, and hidden roadside diner lived permanently in his memory. While many of us rely on technology to find our way, Butch was never lost.
He was always ready for a road trip, a fishing excursion, or simply an afternoon spent with friends and family. More importantly, he was someone people could count on. He showed up. He listened. He cared.
Many will remember the laughter shared around the bar at Village Tavern in Reynolda Village, where Butch could turn an ordinary conversation into a memorable story. He possessed a rare gift for helping people feel comfortable, accepted, and secure in who they were. He made life lighter and friendships deeper.
His family takes comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on not only through the homes he designed, but through the countless lives he touched with his generosity, humor, wisdom, and unwavering presence.
A life well lived leaves a lasting wake. Butch’s will be felt for generations to come.
A Celebration of Life honoring Butch will be planned for Spring 2027 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where family and friends will gather to share stories, laughter, and memories of a man who lived life fully and enriched the lives of so many.
