Burial Service for Clyde "Joe" Floyd Williams, Waciŋyaŋpi Wicaṡta "People depend on him", will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation Traditional Burial Grounds, Sisseton, SD with Mike Peters, Wambdi Cook, and Donnie His Many Lighting Spiritual Leaders. Face Mask and social distancing is required.
Clyde Floyd "Joe" Williams, traditionally known as Waćiŋyaŋpi Wicaśta, became the Wicahpi to Wicasta on the 10th of May, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Born to Daniel Williams and Rebecca DeMarrias Williams in Veblen, SD on September 26th, 1934 and raised within the foothills of Lake Traverse. His journey through life was one of constant change, adventure, and growth. He survived Tekakwitha Orphanage where he was introduced to English in 1941. As a boy and teenager, he finished 8th grade in Stephan Indian School in Crow Creek, SD before he worked as a farmhand until joining the Army in 1954, where he was stationed in Germany with the 10th Mountain Division. Eventually, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and being a tank commander in the M48 tank. His unit was later stationed in the Mojave Desert during the atomic testing in 1956. He was awarded the Army Expert Badge (90MM), Army Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol) and the Army Good Conduct Medal. The majority of his military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. After leaving the military, Joe had a variety of jobs in the 1950s in Tennessee and Texas as an auto technician. Then later, in the 1960s, he moved to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen to work as a tile installer, before becoming a part of the US's American Indian Urban Relocation program and moved to Los Angeles California. There he opened a body shop with his brother Laurs Williams.
In 1971, Joe returned to South Dakota and was employed as a BIA police officer on the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, as it was known then. He served in various political and employment roles for the tribe ranging from administrative roles to being on Tribal Council from the 1970's and into the early 1980s. In 1983 while working at Wahpeton Indian School (now Circle of Nations School) he was injured on the job and spent six weeks in the hospital.
The biggest change in his life happened in 1987 while at Sundance outside of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This experience altered his life, and recalling lessons from the elders of his youth, he focused his energies on "the old way". At his home at Lake Traverse he built a sweat lodge and started to participate and lead ceremonies for the next 30 years. He built a house on his family land in 1977, and rejuvenated his mother's garden from the 1930s, and tilled crops for his family, relatives, and friends, always without compensation and was always happy when people left with the fruits and vegetables he created for them. His work shifted from labor and community and cultural efforts. He helped create the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate's first radio station KSWS 89.3 FM. He worked on National committees, the Minnesota Historical society, spoke in front of Congressional committees, and carried out prayer ceremonies at the White House, Capitol, and the National Museum of the American Indian, where his name is honored on a plaque. He also facilitated and returned over 30 Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate ancestors from the Smithsonian National Museum in August of 1991 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, being the second tribe in the nation to do this, all in his Chevy pickup truck. But these honors and experiences were secondary to the prayers, ceremonies, and conversations he had with the Oyate. For decades he helped prepare those for Sundance, running inipis for weeks on end, without rest.
Joe Williams leaves behind seven children, Barbara "Bobbie" Hinojos of Dallas, TX, Martha "Cha" Williams of Dallas, TX, Mike Williams of Philadelphia, MO, Ann Many Birds of St. Peter, MN, Kyle Williams of Sisseton, SD, Joseph (Ciciley Little Wolf MD) Williams of Fargo, ND, and Jennifer Williams of Rosholt, SD , and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one brother Frank (Leri Lee Russell-Williams) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD; and one sister Shar Siyaka of St. Paul, MN; life partner, Becky Theisen EDD of Rosholt, SD; one sister-in-law Julie Williams of Veblen, SD.
He leaves behind the hope that culture, language, and respect grows for the Oyate and they can do what's right to take care of its youth. His final wish for the Oyate is to express gratitude daily and to pursue their dreams.
- Cahill Funeral Chapel
Clyde Floyd "Joe" Williams, traditionally known as Waćiŋyaŋpi Wicaśta, became the Wicahpi to Wicasta on the 10th of May, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Born to Daniel Williams and Rebecca DeMarrias Williams in Veblen, SD on September 26th, 1934 and raised within the foothills of Lake Traverse. His journey through life was one of constant change, adventure, and growth. He survived Tekakwitha Orphanage where he was introduced to English in 1941. As a boy and teenager, he finished 8th grade in Stephan Indian School in Crow Creek, SD before he worked as a farmhand until joining the Army in 1954, where he was stationed in Germany with the 10th Mountain Division. Eventually, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and being a tank commander in the M48 tank. His unit was later stationed in the Mojave Desert during the atomic testing in 1956. He was awarded the Army Expert Badge (90MM), Army Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol) and the Army Good Conduct Medal. The majority of his military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. After leaving the military, Joe had a variety of jobs in the 1950s in Tennessee and Texas as an auto technician. Then later, in the 1960s, he moved to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen to work as a tile installer, before becoming a part of the US's American Indian Urban Relocation program and moved to Los Angeles California. There he opened a body shop with his brother Laurs Williams.
In 1971, Joe returned to South Dakota and was employed as a BIA police officer on the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, as it was known then. He served in various political and employment roles for the tribe ranging from administrative roles to being on Tribal Council from the 1970's and into the early 1980s. In 1983 while working at Wahpeton Indian School (now Circle of Nations School) he was injured on the job and spent six weeks in the hospital.
The biggest change in his life happened in 1987 while at Sundance outside of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This experience altered his life, and recalling lessons from the elders of his youth, he focused his energies on "the old way". At his home at Lake Traverse he built a sweat lodge and started to participate and lead ceremonies for the next 30 years. He built a house on his family land in 1977, and rejuvenated his mother's garden from the 1930s, and tilled crops for his family, relatives, and friends, always without compensation and was always happy when people left with the fruits and vegetables he created for them. His work shifted from labor and community and cultural efforts. He helped create the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate's first radio station KSWS 89.3 FM. He worked on National committees, the Minnesota Historical society, spoke in front of Congressional committees, and carried out prayer ceremonies at the White House, Capitol, and the National Museum of the American Indian, where his name is honored on a plaque. He also facilitated and returned over 30 Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate ancestors from the Smithsonian National Museum in August of 1991 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, being the second tribe in the nation to do this, all in his Chevy pickup truck. But these honors and experiences were secondary to the prayers, ceremonies, and conversations he had with the Oyate. For decades he helped prepare those for Sundance, running inipis for weeks on end, without rest.
Joe Williams leaves behind seven children, Barbara "Bobbie" Hinojos of Dallas, TX, Martha "Cha" Williams of Dallas, TX, Mike Williams of Philadelphia, MO, Ann Many Birds of St. Peter, MN, Kyle Williams of Sisseton, SD, Joseph (Ciciley Little Wolf MD) Williams of Fargo, ND, and Jennifer Williams of Rosholt, SD , and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one brother Frank (Leri Lee Russell-Williams) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD; and one sister Shar Siyaka of St. Paul, MN; life partner, Becky Theisen EDD of Rosholt, SD; one sister-in-law Julie Williams of Veblen, SD.
He leaves behind the hope that culture, language, and respect grows for the Oyate and they can do what's right to take care of its youth. His final wish for the Oyate is to express gratitude daily and to pursue their dreams.
- Cahill Funeral Chapel
Burial Service for Clyde "Joe" Floyd Williams, Waciŋyaŋpi Wicaṡta "People depend on him", will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation Traditional Burial Grounds, Sisseton, SD with Mike Peters, Wambdi Cook, and Donnie His Many Lighting Spiritual Leaders. Face Mask and social distancing is required.
Clyde Floyd "Joe" Williams, traditionally known as Waćiŋyaŋpi Wicaśta, became the Wicahpi to Wicasta on the 10th of May, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Born to Daniel Williams and Rebecca DeMarrias Williams in Veblen, SD on September 26th, 1934 and raised within the foothills of Lake Traverse. His journey through life was one of constant change, adventure, and growth. He survived Tekakwitha Orphanage where he was introduced to English in 1941. As a boy and teenager, he finished 8th grade in Stephan Indian School in Crow Creek, SD before he worked as a farmhand until joining the Army in 1954, where he was stationed in Germany with the 10th Mountain Division. Eventually, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and being a tank commander in the M48 tank. His unit was later stationed in the Mojave Desert during the atomic testing in 1956. He was awarded the Army Expert Badge (90MM), Army Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol) and the Army Good Conduct Medal. The majority of his military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. After leaving the military, Joe had a variety of jobs in the 1950s in Tennessee and Texas as an auto technician. Then later, in the 1960s, he moved to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen to work as a tile installer, before becoming a part of the US's American Indian Urban Relocation program and moved to Los Angeles California. There he opened a body shop with his brother Laurs Williams.
In 1971, Joe returned to South Dakota and was employed as a BIA police officer on the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, as it was known then. He served in various political and employment roles for the tribe ranging from administrative roles to being on Tribal Council from the 1970's and into the early 1980s. In 1983 while working at Wahpeton Indian School (now Circle of Nations School) he was injured on the job and spent six weeks in the hospital.
The biggest change in his life happened in 1987 while at Sundance outside of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This experience altered his life, and recalling lessons from the elders of his youth, he focused his energies on "the old way". At his home at Lake Traverse he built a sweat lodge and started to participate and lead ceremonies for the next 30 years. He built a house on his family land in 1977, and rejuvenated his mother's garden from the 1930s, and tilled crops for his family, relatives, and friends, always without compensation and was always happy when people left with the fruits and vegetables he created for them. His work shifted from labor and community and cultural efforts. He helped create the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate's first radio station KSWS 89.3 FM. He worked on National committees, the Minnesota Historical society, spoke in front of Congressional committees, and carried out prayer ceremonies at the White House, Capitol, and the National Museum of the American Indian, where his name is honored on a plaque. He also facilitated and returned over 30 Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate ancestors from the Smithsonian National Museum in August of 1991 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, being the second tribe in the nation to do this, all in his Chevy pickup truck. But these honors and experiences were secondary to the prayers, ceremonies, and conversations he had with the Oyate. For decades he helped prepare those for Sundance, running inipis for weeks on end, without rest.
Joe Williams leaves behind seven children, Barbara "Bobbie" Hinojos of Dallas, TX, Martha "Cha" Williams of Dallas, TX, Mike Williams of Philadelphia, MO, Ann Many Birds of St. Peter, MN, Kyle Williams of Sisseton, SD, Joseph (Ciciley Little Wolf MD) Williams of Fargo, ND, and Jennifer Williams of Rosholt, SD , and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one brother Frank (Leri Lee Russell-Williams) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD; and one sister Shar Siyaka of St. Paul, MN; life partner, Becky Theisen EDD of Rosholt, SD; one sister-in-law Julie Williams of Veblen, SD.
He leaves behind the hope that culture, language, and respect grows for the Oyate and they can do what's right to take care of its youth. His final wish for the Oyate is to express gratitude daily and to pursue their dreams.
- Cahill Funeral Chapel
Clyde Floyd "Joe" Williams, traditionally known as Waćiŋyaŋpi Wicaśta, became the Wicahpi to Wicasta on the 10th of May, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Born to Daniel Williams and Rebecca DeMarrias Williams in Veblen, SD on September 26th, 1934 and raised within the foothills of Lake Traverse. His journey through life was one of constant change, adventure, and growth. He survived Tekakwitha Orphanage where he was introduced to English in 1941. As a boy and teenager, he finished 8th grade in Stephan Indian School in Crow Creek, SD before he worked as a farmhand until joining the Army in 1954, where he was stationed in Germany with the 10th Mountain Division. Eventually, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and being a tank commander in the M48 tank. His unit was later stationed in the Mojave Desert during the atomic testing in 1956. He was awarded the Army Expert Badge (90MM), Army Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol) and the Army Good Conduct Medal. The majority of his military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. After leaving the military, Joe had a variety of jobs in the 1950s in Tennessee and Texas as an auto technician. Then later, in the 1960s, he moved to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen to work as a tile installer, before becoming a part of the US's American Indian Urban Relocation program and moved to Los Angeles California. There he opened a body shop with his brother Laurs Williams.
In 1971, Joe returned to South Dakota and was employed as a BIA police officer on the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, as it was known then. He served in various political and employment roles for the tribe ranging from administrative roles to being on Tribal Council from the 1970's and into the early 1980s. In 1983 while working at Wahpeton Indian School (now Circle of Nations School) he was injured on the job and spent six weeks in the hospital.
The biggest change in his life happened in 1987 while at Sundance outside of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This experience altered his life, and recalling lessons from the elders of his youth, he focused his energies on "the old way". At his home at Lake Traverse he built a sweat lodge and started to participate and lead ceremonies for the next 30 years. He built a house on his family land in 1977, and rejuvenated his mother's garden from the 1930s, and tilled crops for his family, relatives, and friends, always without compensation and was always happy when people left with the fruits and vegetables he created for them. His work shifted from labor and community and cultural efforts. He helped create the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate's first radio station KSWS 89.3 FM. He worked on National committees, the Minnesota Historical society, spoke in front of Congressional committees, and carried out prayer ceremonies at the White House, Capitol, and the National Museum of the American Indian, where his name is honored on a plaque. He also facilitated and returned over 30 Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate ancestors from the Smithsonian National Museum in August of 1991 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, being the second tribe in the nation to do this, all in his Chevy pickup truck. But these honors and experiences were secondary to the prayers, ceremonies, and conversations he had with the Oyate. For decades he helped prepare those for Sundance, running inipis for weeks on end, without rest.
Joe Williams leaves behind seven children, Barbara "Bobbie" Hinojos of Dallas, TX, Martha "Cha" Williams of Dallas, TX, Mike Williams of Philadelphia, MO, Ann Many Birds of St. Peter, MN, Kyle Williams of Sisseton, SD, Joseph (Ciciley Little Wolf MD) Williams of Fargo, ND, and Jennifer Williams of Rosholt, SD , and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one brother Frank (Leri Lee Russell-Williams) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD; and one sister Shar Siyaka of St. Paul, MN; life partner, Becky Theisen EDD of Rosholt, SD; one sister-in-law Julie Williams of Veblen, SD.
He leaves behind the hope that culture, language, and respect grows for the Oyate and they can do what's right to take care of its youth. His final wish for the Oyate is to express gratitude daily and to pursue their dreams.
- Cahill Funeral Chapel
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