William J. "Willie" Waanatan

William J. “Willie” Waanatan, Sr. Ohitiya Najina (Standing Brave), 50 of Fort Totten, ND passed to the Spirit World on July 4, 2005 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael. Fr. Paul Ruge will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery at Crow Hill, ND. A Wake will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Friday, July 8, 2005 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will be leaving the former Lake Country Auto Parking Lot at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Active Pallbearers: Michael Buckles, Jeremy Buckles, Wayne Buckles, Raymond Buckles, Mitch Buckles, John Waanatan, Titus Anderson, John Littleghost, Brandon Langstaff, Tyler Waanatan and Carmen Hager. Honorary Pallbearers: John Anderson, Hank Cavanaugh, Stacy Dubois, Zeke Greywater, Ritchie Allen Greywater, Franklin Spottedbird, Frank Tomahawk, Shane Peltier, Tom Robertson Jr., Dustin Feather, Kenny John Thompson, Tom Longie, John and Curtis Posey, Paul and Jessie Cavanaugh, Jeff Whitebuffalo, B.J. Adams, Patty Mintz, Fred Longie Sr., Alfred Longie Sr., Sona Longie, Martha Littlewind, Florestine Peltier, Lois Leben, Richard Greyhorn, Freeman Brown, Kenny Charboneau, Tristan Longie, Ronda Greywater, Louis and Jeanie Chaske, Rena and Bob Skaro, Deborah Cavanaugh and family, Anderson Girls, Kim Redroad, Patsy and Janice Dubois, Ricki Dubois, Tiger and Sherman Dubois, Shayla Ross, Tara and Kenda Spottedbird, Joyce Tomahawk, Fred and Lois Peltier, Johnny Dubois, Bobby Jetty, Trent Anderson, Clifford Cavanaugh, Carol Littleghost, Chris Anderson, Casper and Lynda Demarrias, William D. Cavanaugh, Waylon and Rocky Littlewind, Dallas Littlewind, Kim Robertson, Trudy Iceman, Josie and Clarence Lawrence, Carmelita Greywater, Willis Herald, Darlene Putnam, Shirlene Feather, Adrian Thomas, Dr. Bharath, Heartland Care Center Staff and Willie’s many cousins and friends. William “Willie” J. Waanatan Sr. was born to Francis Jerome Waanatan and Joan Marie Matohi on March 28, 1955 at Devils Lake, ND, but was raised by Frank and Algenia Jetty in Tokio, ND. He grew up in the Tokio area where he enjoyed playing basketball, fishing, riding horses and attending rodeos. He attended school at Little Flower School, St. Michael and Warwick, ND. He then moved to Fort Totten where he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, friends, nieces, nephews and family. He worked at Sioux Manufacturing, Dakota Tribal Industries and Knutson’s Construction where he helped build the Four Winds School and also at the Wachoni Wellness Center, Fort Totten. At the time of his death he resided at Heartland Care Center. Willie will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. He will always be in their hearts. Willie is survived by his: Daughter: Viola “Lola” Waanatan, Fort Totten Son: William J. “Chief” Waanatan Jr., Devils Lake Sisters: Lila (John) Anderson, St. Michael Maxine (Raymond) Buckles, Fort Totten Carmen Abraham, Bismarck, ND Special Friend: Cheryl Tomahawk, Fort Totten Aunts: Elaine Robertson, Helena Littleghost, Elizabeth Littleghost, Pauline Greywater, Maxine Peltier and Arlene Littleghost Uncle: Leroy Littleghost Special Nephew: Michael Buckles Grandchildren: Brandon Langstaff, Amber Langstaff, Jesse “J.C.” Davis, Sloane Davis, Quaide Longie, Alden Black, Tiana Waanatan-WalkingEagle and Cherish Waanatan Special Cousin, Viola Brown Nieces: Jessica Buckles, Shannon Buckles, Kelly Waanatan, Nicole Anderson, Meredith Anderson, Rachel Cavanaugh, Wanda Waanatan and Diondra Waanatan Nephews: Michael, Wayne, Jeremy and Mitchell Buckles, John Waanatan, Cody Waanatan, Titus Anderson, Paul N. Cavanaugh and many, many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eddie and Leslie Waanatan; sister, Stephanie Waanatan; nephew, Chad Buckles; niece, Sunshine Charboneau. He was a descendent, a grandson of the late Chief Waanatan.