Central High School alum receives award, 74 years later

William “Bill” George Houston leapt six feet into the air in Sayville in 1943 to become the Long Island high jump champion. “I was the best of Suffolk County and the best of Nassau County,” Houston said. “I was the best of everyone.”

But had nothing to show for his achievement. As people congratulated him, an announcement was made that the event was over. A disgruntled Houston left without an award due to metal rationing for America’s war efforts.

“My dad said, ‘OK, Bill, time to go home,’ and I said ‘Wait a minute dad, something’s wrong here,’” Bill Houston recalled at the Valley Stream Central High School District’s Board of Education meeting on June 13. “I thought I was going to get some kind of certificate or medal or something.”

Houston, 92, can no longer compete in the high jump. He is now in a wheelchair due to neuropathy in his legs. “The only game I could play now is marbles or tiddlywinks,” he said.

His health has suffered over the past few years. Two years ago, Houston had a minor stroke, and in January he was hospitalized for septic poisoning. “We almost lost him,” his granddaughter Elizabeth Wirth said.

But the picture that his longtime friend Arthur Zura took of him clearing the bar sat on his bedside at the hospital, along with a photo of his family. “We had that picture there to rally him and remind him of all that he’s done in his life,” Wirth said.

Houston did get better and spent Mother’s Day at his house in Amityville. The holiday was just one day before the anniversary of his high jump, and he told granddaughter Erin Wirth about that moment. Elizabeth, who had heard the story throughout her life, listened to the conversation and discovered a new detail — he never received a trophy.

Elizabeth wasn’t the only one who was surprised. Houston’s wife, Joyce, said that she tells everyone who comes into the house that Bill was the 1943 high jump champion of Long Island, but “I never knew he missed getting that trophy until he told my granddaughter on Mother’s Day,” she said.

As a result, Elizabeth began to think about having a trophy made. “Then I thought it would be more meaningful to get it from the school,” she said.

She coordinated with her mother, Laura Houston Neville, who emailed Bill Heidenreich, the superintendent of Valley Stream Central High School District. “I am writing today to ask if it might be possible to make the long-held dream of an elderly man finally come true,” Neville wrote. “I know that this honor would truly mean the world to him, and would bring a great deal of joy at this time of his life.”

Heidenreich shared that email at the June 6 Board of Education meeting. “They were unanimously in favor of it,” Heidenreich said.

He sent an email to Neville saying that the board would recognize him at the next meeting, and bought a trophy from a local shop.

The family gathered at Houston’s Amityville house and gave him the good news. Elizabeth said that her grandfather, who is talkative, was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I want my trophy.”

On June 13, 74 years after his winning jump, his wish came true. Houston accepted his trophy from the Board of Education wearing a Yankees cap adorned with the letter C to represent his love for Central High School.

That night he shared his story with everyone at the meeting. “I want to thank the Board of Education and everyone connected to this,” he said. “And, go Central, go!”

For Elizabeth, the moment was worth it. “He was completely bowled over,” she said. “They were fulfilling a dream that he had for 74 years.”

“I’m just so overwhelmed that the school did such a kind thing,” she added.