William Eric Howse—known to virtually everyone as Yogi—passed away unexpectedly doing what he loved at MassArt on September 4, 2026.

An imposing figure to the uninitiated, he was renowned as a giant teddy bear with a mischievous streak, a sharp wit, and a heart big enough to fill every room he entered.

Yogi proved that path-clearing is a lifelong craft. As a former fun-loving teenage delinquent, he had already cleared many paths before becoming an ornamental plasterer at Boston Ornament Company. An artist by nature and training, he eventually returned to school to earn his bachelor’s degree at MassArt in 2018, going on to become a deeply cherished instructor in their illustration department who inspired students with his skill, warmth, and boundless creativity.

In the years between Boston Ornament and MassArt, Yogi devoted his life to being a full-time stay-at-home dad to his two children. He made friends everywhere he went, becoming the default favorite chaperone on every high school chorus field trip. He balanced his rogue charm with deep community service, volunteering extensively with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at Sacred Hearts Parish.

Yogi was rarely seen without a sketchbook in hand, filling pages with his darkly signature work, combining refined talent with low-brow sensibility. He inherited a rare musical gift from his father, possessing the uncanny ability to pick up any instrument and play it within minutes. From his mother, he inherited a voracious love of reading and could usually be found immersed in speculative fiction. From plaster and paint to music and story, Yogi possessed a versatile range of talent, which he shared generously. With a big heart and a stoic resolve, he provided a sturdy anchor to those he loved.

He was the love of his wife Liz’s life for 35 years, celebrating 25 years of marriage this past August. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Rademaker Howse; his two beloved children, Moses and Edythe Howse; his father, William Howard Howse Jr.; his brother, Kendall Christopher “Boo Boo” Howse; his dear friend, Cooper Laurie; fellow Nogoodniks: John Piso, Michael Piso, Dan Levay, and Brian LoPresti; and a large, loving network of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. He was predeceased by his mother, Carolyn Farrell, and his grandmother, Phyllis Branham Farrell.

 Services to celebrate Yogi’s life will be held at the A.J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main St, Malden, MA. on Saturday September 19th from 12:00pm-2:00pm, followed by a service in the funeral home at 2:00pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

lieu of flowers, donations in Yogi’s memory may be made directly to MassArt to support future generations of artists.