Oscar L. "Les" Houston, 78, of Cairo died Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, at Daystar Care Center in Cairo.

He was born March 15, 1925, in Charleston, Mo., son of Roy and Ida Elrod Houston.

He was a second mate for Valley Line Barge Co. for 29 years before retiring. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Houston; two daughters, Mildred Triantis and Sue Travis; two sons, Oscar L. Houston Jr. and George Houston, all of Cairo; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, a granddaughter, a sister and three brothers.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at Barket Funeral Home in Cairo.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Thomas Bray officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill.