Eric Houtz

Eric Jay Houtz, age 65, of Cedarview, died on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in SLC.
Eric was born July 26, 1951 in Payson to Worland Jay and Vona Roper Houtz.
He graduated from Union High School and enlisted in the Marine Corp. He worked in communications as a field wireman and was attached to an artillery unit of 105 Howitzers. During his three years of service to his country he was stationed in San Diego and Twenty Nine Palms, CA, Okinawa, and Vietnam. His unit also spent time in Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Eric attained the rank of Sergeant and was very proud of his sharp shooter ranking. He had the highest qualifying score out of 400 men.
As a civilian Eric worked for brief periods of time as a carpenter's helper, in the timber industry as a hooker and crane operator, and as a die cutter for service pins at OC Tanner. His dreams of being a heavy equipment operator or architect were cut short by medical problems resulting from his miliary service. He spent forty years under the care of numerous specialist and it left little time or energy for anything else. Eric faced each day with a good attitude and a sense of humor and a desire to make each day a good day. He loved his country and was patriotic to the end.
Eric married Sheila Anderton on February 14, 1980, in the Provo LDS Temple. He picked that day so he would never forget their anniversary. When asked what he enjoyed in life his first answer was "being married" and then he would follow with long rides on back roads, camping, target shooting, science, war history (especially World War II), working with wood, and making old things new again. He never saw anything that didn't have a useful purpose and in his younger years if he went to the garbage dump he would often bring home treasure that needed fixed or repurposed. In his youth he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, racquetball, and snorkeling in the ocean.
Eric and Sheila fulfilled a stake mission to the Whiterocks Branch and served as temple workers at the Vernal Utah Temple for 2.5 years when it first opened. He held various other ward callings through the years and always supported and sustained Sheila in her callings. Eric enjoyed singing in the ward choir. He had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and was willing to share it with others. Eric never met a stranger. He like to talk to everyone he met or stood in line with.
Eric is survived by his wife, Sheila Houtz, Cedarview; and his siblings: DeeAnn Benson, SLC: Gary (Vera) Houtz, Bayfield, CO; Randy (Wendy) Houtz, Ignacio, CO; his in-laws, Annie Merle & Boyd Powell, Shanna Sursa, step-in-laws, Dean & Patty Powell, Brent & Anne Marie Powell, all of Cedarview; Debra & Donald Womack, Independence; Karl & Ranae Powell, Lehi; and Susan & Randy Brudnicki, Buda, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the Neola LDS Chapel. Viewings will be held on Monday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and Tuesday at the church from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Burial in the Cedarview Cemetery with military honors presented by the Roosevelt American Legion.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com