William “Bill” S. Bird, age 59, of Flandreau, SD, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.
William “Bill” Sheldon Bird was born January 10, 1958 at Sisseton, SD, to Sheldon William and Sarah Marian (Blackthunder) Bird. He attended Sisseton Public School and two years of college. Bill married Doreen Bird in Flandreau, SD. They made their home in Flandreau in 1977. Bill was the spiritual program director and an alcohol and drug counselor at Keystone Treatment Center for nearly 20 years. He helped many of the native people and adolescents. Bill was a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and a Sundancer for many years. He enjoyed Pow-wow dancing, traveling, preparing native regalia, and home remodeling and carpentry.
Bill is survived by his wife: Doreen; one daughter: Angela Michelle Bird, Flandreau; three sons: Lindsay Michael Weston-Bird, Flandreau; William Clifford Bird and James Harding Bird, both of Sioux Falls; and seven grandchildren: Alexandria, James, Gabriel, Veronica, Asa Wakinyan Hotain, Lindsay M. Weston, Jr., and Mikayla. Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
Honorary Bearers were DuWayne Weston, Winfield Thompson, Tony White, Richard Bird, Bill Schuyler, Damien Bear Shield, George Eagleman, Nathan Thompson, Everett Blackthunder, Sr., and all Keystone Employees. Active Bearers were David Forman, Kenny Weston, Travis Anderson, Amos Jones, Andy Weston, Josh Weston, Gabriel Bird, Kenny Mireau, Sheldon Bird, Dan Weston, Scottie Anderson, Avery Jones, Dustin Beaulieu, Gabe Weston, James Arpan, Mikey Weston, Aaron Bird, and Phillip Allen.
Funeral service was held April 24, 2017 at the Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center, Flandreau, with burial in First Presbyterian Cemetery.
