DODSON William Clarence “Billie” DeCelles, 48, died from cancer Thursday, June 14, 2007, at the Horizon Hospice in Billings.
A wake began at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 17, at the Mission Recreation Center in Hays. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. today at the Mission Recreation Center with the Reverends Jim Fritz and Amy Fulton officiating. A reception will follow the burial at the Center. Billy was born May 9, 1959 to Walter and Cecilia (Cuts The Rope) DeCelles in Harlem. He grew up in the Valley area of Fort Belknap. He was a member of the Gros Ventre Tribe. He attended schools in Harlem and Hays/Lodge Pole. He worked construction and as a fire fighter during his adult life. He married Jean Nez Perce to his union one child was born. The couple later divorced. He then married Deborah Flansburg in Hays. To this union five children were raised. Billy was blessed with many friends who grew to love him. His spirit of generosity was evident in his willingness to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed. Billie loved the Lord and would often talk about his relationship with God to those closest to him. His daily gestures of kindness will not be forgotten. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter DeCelles; brother, Gary Tipton; daughter, Erin Lewis; and grandson, Cezar Frank Boyer. Billy is survived by his wife, Deborah DeCelles of Dodson; mother, Cecilia DeCelles of Havre; children, Amanda (Ken) Boyer of Billings, Shaunell Flansburg of Great Falls, Cecile Flansburg of Havre, Brandi Horn, Waylon Doney, both of Hays, Jonas (Chelsea) Flansburg of Tucson, Ariz., and Phillip (Natasha) DeCelles of Dodson; sister, Irene (Luke) DeCelles Crasco of Lodge Pole; brothers, Ronnie Doney of Tennessee; Ronald “Fudd” Stiffarm, Hays; Bud Werk, Dodson, and 10 grandchildren. Services are under the care of Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
