Meet the Board

DeWayne & Jennifer Houtz, Parents

My son William graduated from Landmark High, he was never more accepted then when he was here. I believe that the other schools he went to wrote him off as not worth their time. William was incredibly intelligent. However, he ran at a higher speed than others. The schools just didn’t want to deal with him. It felt like I was being told over and over that William was not worth the time and would never amount to anything. Then William passed away shortly after his graduation, at 18 years old. I was overcome by how many people/youth came up to me and said “William was there for me,” or “William was a great friend.” I was told that William had a way of making you feel like you were the only one that mattered when you were talking to him. This is how I want William to be remembered. That he was able and willing to help, even those that might not have anyone else. -DeWayne

William brought such a special light to everyone he met. One of my favorite memories with Will was every morning I would take him to the bus stop and we would wait in the car for his school bus to arrive. We would listen to the 7:00 silly on the local radio station and then he would tell me some dad jokes of his own. William loved telling jokes, he enjoyed making people laugh and bringing joy to their day. Every time I hear a good joke, I think to myself, “Will would have loved that joke.” -Jennifer

Natasha & Payton Seamons, Sister & Brother

Will was a once in a lifetime individual who had an uncanny ability to make you feel valued and important even if you didn’t feel that yourself. He was kinder and more welcoming than I could ever hope to be. Knowing him was a blessing that I didn’t deserve but am so grateful that I had. -Payton

Jonathan & Morgan Houtz, Brother & Sister

About 6-12 months before William passed away, we were driving home together. On our way home we ran out of gas on the freeway in Salt Lake. We were stranded on the side of the freeway for about three hours before our help arrived. While stranded on the side of the road together, we went down memory lane. We hadn’t talked much the previous year or two but while we chopped it up together we both were laughing/crying hysterically about some of the memories we had together. William had an incredible way of making your soul experience true happiness. That’s what I miss most about him. -Jonathan

Rebecca & Jackson Reilly, Sister & Brother

William was my baby brother, but above that my best friend. There was one time when we went to Betos in the middle of the night and parked his BMW in the parking lot to eat. We talked about all the things we had done together that summer. We planned trips and laughed until we were crying. We told all our darkest secrets, things we’d never say out loud. He was wild and fun but soft and caring. He was a just because person. He came over just because, he called just because, and he loved you just because. Even when you didn’t deserve it. I’ll miss those small moments shared together most of all until we meet again. -Rebecca

Will’s love had no limits. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he cared for most. He would always put others before himself without a second thought. Will never backed down from a challenge, especially when it came to supporting others. -Jackson

Noah & Leah Houtz, Brother & Sister

Ever since the idea of doing a scholarship in Will’s honor came up, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the video of Will, Noah, and Rebecca singing “Carry on Wayward Son.” I didn’t get the pleasure of meeting Will, but I connect with that song very deeply and so did he. -Leah