By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dr. Houser

Retired Cincinnati osteopath William H. Houser worked his way through school. While attending the University of Chicago's College of Osteopathy, he played the trumpet with Louis Prima's band.

"He took the job because he loved big band music and he could work at night to go to school in the day," said his longtime friend, Lee Cain of Indian Hill. "But once when he needed money, he sold his trumpet and never played music again. He worked hard all his life"

Dr. Houser died Sunday at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. The Anderson, Ind. resident was 82.

Born in Oklahoma, he grew up in Anderson. In addition to the University of Chicago, he graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and the Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington.

He began as an anesthesiologist in Cincinnati but became increasingly interested in family medicine and eventually started a practice in North College Hill. Later, he opened another office in his Deer Park home.

Ms. Cain said Dr. Houser was a "city-dwelling country doctor" who made house calls.

"He loved his patients and knew their families. He'd say, 'You can't treat someone if you don't know them and their family.'"

"He was not only a brother but a friend," said one of his sisters, Maxine H. Williams of Anderson. "I had three children, and anytime I had a problem I'd call him. He helped everybody. He had a lot of patients and he went to see them at their homes."

After surrendering his medical license, he returned to Anderson in 1992, and had a home in Sarasota, Fla.; but he had a routine of spending several days each week in Cincinnati visiting friends.

"If he was your friend, that was the bottom line, there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you, "said Ms. Cain.

Among his memberships, Dr. Houser was a 33-degree Mason and a member of the Shriners and Elks in Indiana, the Musicians Union and the American Medical Association.

Survivors include another sister, Shirley Helen Anderson of Sarasota, Fla.,and nieces and nephews.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Madison County Shrine Club, 2419 White Street, Anderson, IN 46012; or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati 45229-3095.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com