Houck was born in Florence, South Carolina and attended McClenaghan High School.
He was in private practice in Florence from 1958 to 1979, also serving as a South Carolina state representative from 1963 to 1966.
He was Chairman of the Florence, South Carolina City-County Building Commission from 1968 to 1976.
[1] On June 5, 1979, Houck was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina created by 92 Stat.
[2][3] Houck ruled in 1993 that The Citadel must admit women to the Corps of Cadets.