Melvin Louis Billy Sr.

Melvin Louis Billy Sr., 77, of Rocky Boy, Mont., died at home Feb. 2, 2012, of natural causes. His services took place at Rocky Boy, and his final resting place is on the hill overlooking his corrals and roping arena.

Melvin's Indian name is "White Sky Walker, " and he is also known by the nicknames "Sho-Shone" and "The Sheriff. "

Melvin was born to Frank and Young Girl Billy on May 24, 1934, and married Alice Gregg of Wolf Point, on Nov. 22, 1954.

They have eight children, 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Melvin was a cowboy and one of the first ranchers in Rocky Boy. He was also one of the first Indian team ropers in the country. Melvin enjoyed producing and watching jackpot team ropings and rodeos, as well as training, riding and watching good horses. He was a drover in the 1989 Montana Centennial Cattle Drive. Melvin worked for Baltrusch Construction Company and operated many different types of heavy equipment.

Melvin believed a person could learn, and he was more than willing to teach others. While growing up, he picked rock and potatoes in Townsend, Fort Shaw and Helena. Eventually, Melvin and his brother Lloyd created their own fencing construction company, which was known as B & B Fencing. Before retiring, he worked for the Chippewa Cree Housing Authority. Melvin was the first president of the Rocky Boy Rodeo Association and a president of the Hi-Line Roping Club.

He produced one of the first match team ropings in Montana, "The Montana Classic. "

He was very proud of these accomplishments as they brought in the elite ropers of the northwestern United States.

One of his favorite things to do was watch his children and grandchildren participate in sports and rodeos. He was known to play a mean game of poker and was a hard man to bluff. He enjoyed going to the Northern Winz Casino and visiting with his many friends, playing hand-game and going to the Sun Dance.

He enjoyed his life on the ranch.

Melvin was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Young Girl Billy; sisters, Mary Jane Henderson and Mabel Billy; and an infant son, Everette Samuel Billy.

He is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Leslie Billy of Rocky Boy, Terrance Kim (Melody) Billy of Wolf Point, Twila (Terry) Grant of Rocky Boy, Melvin Jr. (Janice) Billy of Browning, Keith (Wanda) Billy of Rocky Boy, Frank Billy of Rocky Boy, Michelle Billy of Rocky Boy, and Shawn (Kayleen) Billy of Billings; his brother, Lloyd Billy; and sisters, Jenny LaSalle and Mary Billy, all of Rocky Boy.

The family would like to thank the staff members of Northern Montana Hospital, Northern Montana Care Center, Benefis Hospital and Wound Center, Maverick Prothetics & Orthotics and the Missouri River Care Center for all their support throughout the years, especially the past three months.

The Melvin Billy family would like to thank family and friends for all the prayers and support during the last three months of his life.