Wade Houk Obituary

Wade B. Houk, Jr., 81 years old, of Youngsville, passed away on February 18, 2025. Wade was born on June 10, 1943, in Holden, MA to the late Wade B. Houk, Sr. and Ruth Cheney Houk.
Wade received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, and his M.A. in International Relations from the University of Indiana. He also attended executive Management Programs at Harvard University, the Wharton School, and the Aspen Institute; and graduated of the FBI's National Executive Institute.
Wade began his career in 1966 with the U.S. Information Agency, where he served in several positions, culminating in a foreign assignment in Vienna, Austria. In 1974, Wade returned to the U.S. upon accepting a position with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served as Director of the Department's Budget Staff. In 1982, Wade was selected as the Assistant Director of Administration of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). In this position, he oversaw the design and construction of over fifty new federal prisons. During his fifteen-year tenure with the BOP, Wade was recognized through many awards, including the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management and the Presidential Award of Distinguished Executive. The latter award was personally presented by the late George H. W. Bush. In 1997, Wade was personally asked by then FBI Director Louis Freeh to become the Assistant Director in charge of the FBI's Finance Division where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Wade retired from this position after 33 years of dedicated government service.
Wade was devoted to his family and friends, and a lover of dogs, especially Rosie and Max. He participated in Rotary Clubs in Ocean Isle Beach, NC and Wake Forest, NC. He also enjoyed traveling the world and domestically, movies, especially the James Bond series, and music, particularly Jazz and the Beach Boys.
Wade is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Doris Beverly Houk; his devoted children and their families, Marcie DiFede, her husband Todd DiFede, and granddaughter Olivia DiFede; Wade Houk, his wife Melissa Houk, and grandchildren Nicholas Houk, Emily Houk, Matthew Houk, Hannah Coor, and Rebecca Coor; and Eric Houk, his wife Amy Howard-Houk, and grandsons Dylan Houk and Logan Houk
A memorial service will be held on March 20, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Gray Rock Independent Methodist Church, 4173 Gray Rock Road, Kittrell, NC, 27544.
Bright Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Houk Family.
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