Lyman Houghton

Born on October 11, 1935, to Elma Mae Strong and Elmer James Houghton, in Bountiful, Utah. Passed away on October 5, 2016 in Spanish Fork, Utah. He was the fourth of eight Houghton children. He was proud to be named Lyman after his grandpa Lyman and a long line of others in his family.



Lyman was a happy and handsome lad. Lyman was active in sports and played baseball and basketball. When he was nine years he became a St. Louis Cardinals fan and remained until the day he died. He graduated from Payson High School in 1954. He worked odd jobs to earn money to go on a mission and in 1956 he was called to go to the Great Lakes Mission, where he served in Michigan and Ohio. He was transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met, although he didn't know it then, the girl who was to become his future wife.



Her name was June Prater and she was leaving for BYU in just a few weeks. They wrote letters for the next 5 weeks until his mission was over. Their 1st date was a total disaster. He borrowed his brother-in-law's car and forgot to check the gas. They ran out of gas and he had to leave her on the side of the road to go get some. About 5 miles later they heard a thump, and they had a flat tire with no spare. He had to go find his dad to help him again. It was February and they were having a big snow storm. He had to walk about 5 miles in the snow storm and was soaking wet. He finally got her home. They saw the movie Sayonara, and she thought it was probably Sayonara for them, but he just kept coming back and they were married 6 months later on Sept. 19, 1958.



Two weeks later, Lyman was drafted in the Army. After 3 months of basic training in Colorado, he was transferred to San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston for 6 months where he completed a food inspection program. Afterwards, he served in Boston and then New Bedford, Mass, where they lived for 13 months. The small LDS Branch in New Bedford was about 40 people. Their love grew as they served in many roles such as 1st Counselor and Branch President, and both the Young Men's & Young Women's programs for the New England Mission. They enjoyed it very much, especially when they got to travel around with President Kimball, who later become President of the Church.



After the Army, the Houghton's returned home to Utah and Lyman started school at BYU. After a year, he left to work at Pacific States Cast Iron in Springville, where he worked for 33 years.



In 1965 their 1st son Bradley Ray arrived. He was the answer to their prayers. Their 2nd son, Brett Lyman was born in1968, followed by Jed Clayton in 1977. Lyman loved his boys. He taught them to play all spots, but especially baseball. He coached Little League for 10 years. He also coached a lot of great baseball players that came out of Spanish Fork. On His last visit to the ball park in July, many ex-players came to thank him for instilling a love of them game in them.



Lyman loved to hunt and with his brothers and sons. They have spent many happy hours out camping and hunting. It was a very sad day when he could no longer go with the boys.



Lyman retired at 55 and went to work part time at the A.F. Boat Harbor, where he worked for 20 years. Everyone loved him and were sad when he left. Lyman was always fair, friendly and honest with everyone. He lived a clean and healthy live and tried to teach that to all of the young men he has worked with.



Lyman has a strong testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He has held just about every position in the Church, including serving in 8 Bishoprics. On his dying bed he proclaimed his testimony and the Truthfulness of the Gospel.



Lyman is survived by June Prater, his wife of 58 wonderful years, 3 sons, Bradley Ray (Vikki) of St. George, Brett Lyman (Christine) of Saratoga Springs, and Jed Clayton (Sheena) of Payson. They have 11 grandchildren, Alexis, Brittany, Adison, Clarence, Cooper, Caitlin, Hannah, Landon, Destiny, Kailey and Morgan. His siblings are Jeanine (died as infant), June and AJ Smith (deceased), Robert(deceased) and Myrna, Sharon and Ralph (deceased), Douglas and Evelynne, Linda and Gary Douglas (deceased), and Calvin and Jody.



My husband was a great man and I loved him very much. October 11 would have been his 81st Birthday. Happy Birthday Sweetheart. I will be with you soon.



Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday October 11, 2016 at the Spanish Fork 7th Ward, 761 East 400 North, Spanish Fork, UT. A viewing will be held on Monday October 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to services on Tuesday. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork Cemetery. To express condolences visit www.LegacyFunerals.com