Dr. Milham S. "Bill" Howie

Dr. Milham S. “Bill” Howie, age 92, a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2026.

Bill was born on August 23, 1933, in New York City to Salem M. “Sam” Howie and Ruth Lincer Howie. He was raised in Jackson, MS, where he graduated valedictorian from St. Joseph’s High School in 1951.

Following high school, Bill attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA, graduating with a degree in chemistry in 1955. He was a four-year letterman and captain of the Loras College baseball team. In 2008, he was inducted into the Loras College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bill received a PhD in chemistry from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN in 1959, where he studied and conducted research under his friend and mentor, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Herbert C. Brown.  

After receiving his PhD, Bill moved to Baton Rouge, where he began a more than 35-year career as a research chemist with Ethyl Corporation (later Albemarle Corporation). He was credited with a number of patents and traveled extensively to Europe and East Asia as part of his work, including a two-year stay in Brussels, Belgium. He retired as Manager of Research & Development for Albemarle.

In 1961, Bill married Harriett Clinton Howie. Bill and Harriett raised three children and enjoyed traveling, dining out, and spending time with their family during their 66 years of marriage. They particularly enjoyed time with their grandchildren and hiking, sightseeing, and spending time in Colorado following Bill’s retirement.

Bill had a wide variety of interests, including sports, history, politics, and science. He loved baseball and enjoyed coaching his sons’ American Legion baseball teams. A man of deep faith, he also cherished his special time at Manresa Retreat House for over 35 years.

Bill is survived by his wife Harriett; daughter, Dr. Laura Howie Keller and her husband Charles of Tucson, AZ; son, Clinton Howie and his wife Megan of Dallas, TX; sister, Marian Hitch; grandchildren, Michelle Howie Regan and her husband Will, Rachel Howie, Kendall Howie Villarrubia and her husband Jake, Carter Howie and his wife Megan, Dylan Howie, Quinn Howie, and Elizabeth Gordon; and great-grandson, Henry Regan. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Howie; and son, Mark Howie.

Visitation will take place at St. George Catholic Church on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until the Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manresa House of Retreats, 5858 LA 44, Convent, LA 70723 or the Alzheimer’s Association in Bill’s name.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hospice of Baton Rouge, particularly chaplain Jay Buzbee and nurses Katrina and Mona, and the staff of the memory care unit at Glenncrest on Siegen. A special thanks to Bill’s favorite caregiver Patsy.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com