Auburn – Homer W. Houston Jr., 79, a resident of Empire Road in Poland, died Thursday, Aug. 3, at Androscoggin Hospice House with his loving family by his side following a brief illness.

He was born on Dec. 11, 1926, in Saugus, Mass., the son of Homer W. Sr. and Mabel (Sears) Houston. On Nov. 7, 1947, he married Marjorie Ireland in Durham. He was a 1945 graduate of Edward Little High School. He enlisted on Dec. 7, 1944, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a pharmacist mate 3rd class. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Auburn, retiring in 1985 after 39 years of service.

He was a member of the Acadia Masonic Lodge 121 AF & AM of Durham and the American Legion of Waterville. He loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren, telling stories, playing the harmonica and singing ditties. He also enjoyed his time camping in New England, his horses, antique cars, genealogy and watching the Kentucky Derby.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Poland; four daughters and their husbands, Beverly Winchenbach and her companion, Joey Poulin, of Livermore Falls, a son, Homer “Sam” Houston III and his wife, Joan, of Poland, Roxane and Mark T. Elie of Auburn, Brenda and Norman Gurschick Sr. of Minot and Cynthia and Randall Brown of Oxford; 12 grandchildren, Todd Winchenbach, Brian Houston and his wife, Lia, Lynn Houston, Lindsay Elie, Justin Elie, Brandon Elie, Norman Gurschick Jr. and his wife, Jamie, Amy Gurschick, Laura Gurschick, Evan Gurschick, Brittany Brown and Ryan Brown; a great-granddaughter, Breannah Rae Merrill; a brother, John Sears Houston of Pejepscot; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Houston of Poland.

He was predeceased by a grandson, baby Elie; a brother, Stanley Houston; and a sister, Veneita Learnard.