NAC loses prominent member

Tommy Billy didn't live a long life, but unlike many who live a lot longer, he lived to see his dream.

And also unlike many, his dream was not for himself but for his church.

Billy, of Dilkon Chapter, died suddenly on Memorial Day at age 56. For the Azée Bee Nahagha of the Dine Nation - the Navajo branch of the Native American Church - it was a shocking loss.

"His motivation on what we would call his journey was extraordinary," said Kara Brown of Standing Horse Mesa, Ariz., translating into English for her uncle, Billy's lifelong friend Thomas Singer.

"In the winter of his life, he exhausted all his prayers, his thoughts, his energy for his tribe and his church," she said.

For the past several years, Billy had spearheaded a fundraising effort begun by his brother, Johnny Billy, who died two years ago. The men had a dream of purchasing land in southern Texas for the NAC.

While Azée bee Nahagha is one of the largest NAC branches in the country, Brown explained, peyote does not grow on the Navajo Nation. Every year, ABNDN leaders make a pilgrimage to south Texas to buy the peyote buttons they ingest as a sacrament during their meetings.

The Billys had a dream of purchasing several acres of land near Hebbronville, Texas, where the pilgrims could camp and hold ceremonies.

On April 21, the dream became a reality. Billy and several other prominent ABNDN members erected a teepee on their new land and dedicated it with a ceremony.

A little over a month later, Billy would die of a massive heart attack. But it just might have been the happiest month of his life.

Francis Nez Jr., Billy's son by clan, was one of those who accompanied Billy to Texas to dedicate the land. It was the last time Nez saw him alive.

"I walked around with him on the site," Nez recalled. "He had so many plans for it. He was really happy."

Joanne Lewis-Tsinijinnie, whose husband is a relative of Billy's, agreed.

"After the Texas event, he came by to visit," she said. "He was just happy."

The family knew Billy had touched a lot of lives, but they were amazed at the number of people who showed up at his funeral.

"Hundreds upon hundreds," Brown said.

The ABNDN is having its annual meeting in Chinle starting tomorrow, June 25, and you can bet there will be a lot of reminiscing about their fallen patron. Singer will lead a memorial for him during the main gathering on Saturday.

Nez hopes Billy's legacy does not end there.

"He had a lot of plans for developing the Texas land," Nez said. "I hope we can honor him by following through with his vision."

Billy was Áshiihí (Salt Clan), born for Tábaahá (Edge Water Clan). His chei was Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan) and his nálí was Kinyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan).

Survivors include his children, Tonya Billy, Tommy Billy Jr., and Wilberta Jackson, all of Texas; Tyson Billy of Phoenix; and Joy Hollonquest and Tawn Billy, serving in the U.S. military in Turkey and Bahrain, respectively.

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