Obituaries for Dec. 14, 2017

Kathleen J. Collins

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Kathleen J. “Happy” Collins, 67, will be held today, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Defiance. Burial will follow at the family plot in Blue Canyon, Arizona.

Kathleen was born June 27, 1950, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). Her nali is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan).

She died Dec. 10, 2017, in Fort Defiance.

Kathleen attended St. Michael Indian School and graduated from Window Rock High School. She was employed with St. Michael Indian School and retired from the Window Rock Unified School District. She was also a licensed cosmetologist in New Mexico.

Kathleen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, watching NBA basketball, baking cakes, cooking for her family, riding horses and was a Big Mountain Sundancer for 26 years.

Kathleen is survived by her sons, Gabriel Collins, Joseph Collins, Sonny Collins, Randy Collins, William Collins IV and Robert Collins; daughters, Anna Marie Collins and Leanne Lee; sister, Velma J. Shirley; and 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Kathleen is preceded in death by William “Jumbo” Collins III; mother, Anna Marie Shirley; father, Sam D. Shirley; brother, Don Shirley; maternal grandparents, John E. and Onebah Watchman; and paternal grandparents, Mary Shirley and Nat Begay.

Pallbearers will be Gabriel A. Collins, Jeremy Collins, Dondi Begay Jr., Isiah Collins, Deyron Collins and Corey Manuelito. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

George Boyd Willie Sr.

LEUPP, Ariz. — Funeral services for George Boyd Willie Sr., 94, were held Dec. 11 at the Leupp Presbyterian Church in Leupp, Arizona. Interment followed at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery-Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona.

George was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Sawmill, Arizona, into the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Dec. 5, 2017, in Leupp.

George attended school at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, and worked for various employers throughout his life, including Navajo Nation, NECA and Leupp School Inc. Some significant contributions through his work include construction at Glen Canyon Dam, El Paso Pipelines, windmills throughout the Navajo Reservation and water line construction in many Navajo communities.

During his retirement, George took care of livestock, spending time with grandchildren and enjoyed traveling with family.

He was a Navajo Code Talker and served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946.

George is survived by his wife, Emma Jean Willie of Leupp; sons, John B. Willie of Leupp, and George Boyd Willie Jr. of Chino Valley, Arizona; daughters, Emily Tsosie, Delores Lee and Annabelle Smallcanyon of Leupp; sisters, Jennie B. Martin of Crownpoint; and 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

George is preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Altsáá Baa’ Willeto; sons, Benny L. Huskon, Justin B. Willie and Arthur B. Willie; daughter, Josephine Talayumptewa; sister, Nellie Carroll; and brother, John B. Willeto Sr.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com. photo

Mary C. Yazzie

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Mary C. Yazzie, 84, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held today, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at the St. Michaels Mission Church with Jose Gutay officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Mary was born May 10, 1933, in Houck, Arizona, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She died Dec. 10, 2017, in Phoenix. Mary attended Houck Mission up to the 8th grade and worked for the Navajo Tribe for 25 years as a custodian. She also was employed as a housemaid for six years in Page, Arizona.

Mary loved sewing, weaving, cooking, cleaning, watching old movies and taking trips to Kentucky.

Mary is survived by her son, Anderson Spean; daughters, Carmelita Anderson, Tillie Golden and Veronica Fowler; brothers, Lawerence Sam, Steven Sam, Gilbert Sam and Joe Sam; sisters, Elsie Yazzie, Pauline Sam and Alice Sam; and 30 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother, Francis Sam; father, John Sam Sr.; husband, Joe Ray Yazzie; daughter, Virginia Sandoval; and sons, Lorenzo Spean, Ronald Ray Yazzie and Gerald Ray Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Gilbert Sam, Presiano Sedillo, Lasheo Golden, Sebastian Yazzie, Gerald Joe Yazzie and Vincent Spean. Honorary pallbearers will be Darren Johnson, Anderson Spean, Lawerence Sam, Joe Sam and Nathaniel Sam.

A reception will take place at the St. Michaels Mission Hall following services. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Veda June Francisco

CRYSTAL, N.M. — Funeral services for Veda June Francisco, 54, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held today, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at the LDS Church in Crystal. Burial will follow at the family plot in Crystal.

Veda was born June 12, 1963, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). She died Dec. 10, 2017, in Flagstaff.

Veda graduated from Window Rock High School and was employed with the Navajo Nation for 21 years. She loved to sew and bake.

Veda is survived by her sons, Kendall Francisco, Chanay Francisco and Corbin Francisco; mother, Leonora Francisco of Crystal; brothers, Dave Francisco, Oral Francisco and Coray Francisco; sister, Veronica Francisco; and one grandchild, Novia Francisco. Veda is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.

A reception will take place at the Crystal Community Center following services. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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