William Hough

William Sigourney Hough passed away on May 21, 2018 after a short illness. He was born September 19, 1924 in Greenfield, MA. He served as an Ensign in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946. Following the war, he studied at Western Michigan University (class of '48) under the G.I. Bill and majored in physics. He held many careers throughout his 93 years: a scientist working for the federal government in Colorado or Washington, D.C. in the 1950's to '60's, and then again in the 1980's and '90's in California; a stock broker; and a high school science teacher at Technical High School, Springfield, MA in the 1970's until he retired in 1985. While employed as a scientist in the 1950's, Hough was one among the first team of scientists to winter over at the U.S. Navy Amundsen-Scott South Pole base station (90 degrees South). This work, as well as his work with the Bureau of Ordinance designing missile flight simulations and a prototype computer for the program, and then his work at Mare Island, CA paved the way for his receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Western Michigan University in December 2008. Throughout the years, he has rarely been still. He enjoyed investing, sailing, exploring new places, and spending time with family. For the past 13 years, he has lived at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, MI. Predeceased by his three wives Suzanne N. Hough of Colorado, Jeanne R. (Steben) Hopper Hough of Massachusetts, and Ellen R. (Hotelling) Smith Hough of Michigan, he is survived by his son Randall D. Hough of Mexico and daughter Cynthia L. (Hough) Stulpin of Rhode Island, and his four stepchildren Susan Alexander, Jennifer Sanderson, Tom Smith, and Edie Trent all of Michigan. He has extended family and friends across the continent that, no doubt, he wishes he could have seen one more time. A memorial service will be Thursday, May 31 at 3 pm in the Group Fitness Studio near the KIVA at Friendship Village, 1400 N. Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Congregational Church, Piano Fund, 345 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007. Please visit Bill's personalized guest book at www.langelands.com