By HDN Staff
FORT BELKNAP William Shortman, hee-tha-da, "Two Leggins," 84, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at a
Fort Belknap medical center of natural causes.
Wake and rosary were Thursday night at the Red Whip Center at Fort Belknap. Funeral Mass was Friday morning at the Red Whip Center. Burial
with military honors was to follow at the Shortman Family Cemetery at Hays.
Shortman was born Jan. 17, 1917 to Phillip Shortman and Mary StandingBear at the family ranch at Hays. He was educated at the Fort Belknap Boarding School. Shortman graduated from Flandreau Indian School, where he was an outstanding basketball player.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1940 and served in World War II. He served in the battles of Bismark, Archipelago, Southern Philippines and Lyzon. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Service Star, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Bronze Service Arrowhead, Good Conduct and Victory Medal. He received an honorable discharge in 1945.
Shortman was lifelong laborer employed by the road department and various farms and ranches throughout the country. He inherited cattle and a ranch from his parents that began a lifelong enjoyment of horses and rodeos. He owned racehorses and was interested in tribal politics throughout the country. He returned to Fort Belknap 30 years ago to semi-retire and spend time with his family and friends.
Shortman was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, five sisters and one granddaughter.
Survivors include his children, Lois Shortman, Phillip Shortman and Myrna Gardipee, all of Fort Belknap, Lewis Quincy Sr. and Gaylord Quincy, both of Hays, Lois Lussier of Cass Lake, Minn., Wilma Lavenger of Billings, sister Helen Shortman of Fort Belknap, special friend, Ed "Beebles" Nickelson; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
