William "Bill" Huston

William "Bill" Huston, 84, of Baker City, Oregon, passed away at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City, Oregon, on August 4, 2026.

Bill was born on September 20, 1941, in Paso Robles, California, to Raymond Huston and Olga Davis. He was raised by his uncle, Lawrence Huston, and Luella Radcliffe Huston. As a child in the 1950s, Bill learned to ride horses, milk cows, rope cattle, and train horses. He also worked alongside Lawrence in the Los Padres National Forest, packing mules for the U.S. Forest Service.

Bill graduated from King City High School in 1960 and later attended Hartnell College. He was an accomplished high school track star and a pole-vault star in college. He also studied saddle making in Cody, Wyoming.

On October 9, 1997, Bill married Jean Cordell in Vancouver, Washington.

An artist and self-employed entrepreneur, Bill worked for 55 years before retiring in 2020. Among his accomplishments was teaching jewelry making in Baker City. He had extensive knowledge of the rivers, creeks, caves, and swimming holes throughout the Los Padres National Forest.

Bill enjoyed Western swing and two-step dancing and taught dance classes. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Huston of Baker City; children, Samantha Huston of Santa Margarita, California, Nicholas Huston of San Luis Obispo, California, and Genevieve Huston of Cambria, California; Kathy (Gary) Bloomer of Baker City; Lisa (Victor) Fusselman of Montana; Michael Townsend of Baker City; and Tim Townsend of Idaho. 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive him.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth Huston, and granddaughter, Breann Mayberry.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, Oregon 97814.