WILLIAM WEEKS obituary

WOLF POINT - William Henry “Willie” Weeks III, Mato-Sku (White Bear), died Monday, May 22, 2006, of natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital.

A wake will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at the Wolf Point Community Hall. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.

Willie was born on March 1, 1951, to Lillian Delong Weeks and William Weeks Jr. Will was an enrolled member of the Assiniboine Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck. He was a former Tribal Council member and was the first director of TERO. He grew up in Wolf Point, attending the Immaculate Conception school and Wolf Point High School. He graduated in 1969. Will is best known for his charismatic personality, generosity and athletic abilities.

He excelled at all sports, particularly basketball. Willie was a key factor on the Wolves 1968 Big 32 state championship team. He was twice named to a high school All-American team and still holds several scoring records.

Willie signed a college letter of intent to play basketball for Montana State University. He played basketball for the Bobcats from 1969-1973, where he excelled. He was named All-Big Sky Conference and was an Academic All-American. Later, Willie received a written invitation to try out with the San Diego Conquistadors of the old ABA, while Wilt Chamberlain coached the team. No other Indian ball player in Montana played in that caliber of competition.

Will married Diane Wetsit on Oct. 31, 1976, at Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point. Together they had three children. Will was a loving and devoted father who always encouraged his children to succeed in all aspects of life. Will graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor of science degree in history and creative writing in 1999.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and William Weeks Jr., brother; Robert “Bobby” Weeks.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Wetsit, of Crow Agency; daughter, Natalie (Charles) Weeks O'Neal of California; sons, Coy and Wacy Weeks of Montana; grandson, Venture O'Neal of California; brothers, Dennis Lambert of San Diego, Calif., Gary Farnsworth of Poplar, John Weeks of Wolf Point, David Weeks of Waukash, Wis., Tom Weeks of Phoenix, Ariz., and Wayne Weeks of Wolf Point; sisters, Jody Neutgens, Dorothy (Bob) Balbinot, Jackie Weeks and Rita Weeks, all of Wolf Point; and special friend, Cleo Shumway of Wolf Point.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or http://www.stevensonandsons.com .