Obituaries for May 12, 2016

Bill Henry Toledo

ALBUQUERQUE – Funeral services for Bill Henry “Willie” Toledo, 92, were held May 10 at French Funerals in Albuquerque. Interment with honors followed May 11 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Bill was born and raised in Torreon, N.M. He passed away May 5, 2016, in Grants, N.M.

Bill joined the Marines with two cousins and two friends and served a vital role as a Navajo Code Talker during World War II. He was assigned a bodyguard when he was mistaken for an enemy soldier and he was present for the famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima.

When he returned home he finished high school and attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. He met Louise in high school and they married after the war and lived in Kansas, where she was a nurse while he worked as an auto mechanic. They moved back to New Mexico where they lived the remainder of their lives. He was active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association and enjoyed traveling, speaking, and answering questions about the experiences of the Navajo Code Talkers

Bill is survived by his daughter, Sharon Webb (Donn); sisters, Lavesita Toledo, Dora Rockwell, Dorothy Castillo (James Sr.), Carol Clark, Irene Toledo (Tommy), Barbara Antone, and Ruby Montoya; brothers, John Pino (Mae), Preston Toledo, and Phillip Montoya; and two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Louise Mae Jose Toledo; son, Darrell William “Billy” Toledo; daughter, Corrina Toledo; and parents, Domingo and Glee Bah, and Jeffrey and Mary; and several siblings.

French Funerals was in charge of arrangements.

Visit the online guest book for Bill at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

Leroy Tom

GALLUP – Funeral services for Leroy Tom, 44, will be held today, May 12, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot in Mariano Lake, N.M.

Leroy was born Nov. 6, 1971, into the Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His nali is Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill); chei is Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House). He died May 7, 2016.

Leroy was well known for his awesome cooking and he was always there to help others. He was a caring, loving and dependable person.

Leroy is survived by his mother, Agnes Lee; brothers, Elmer Tom, Leo Tom, and Brandon Pete; sister, Frieda Pete; and wife, Jennifer Tom.

Pallbearers will be Elmer Tom, Darrell Livingston, and Chester Charley.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jonah Wauneka

WINDOW ROCK – Funeral services for Jonah Wauneka, 67, were held May 11 at the United Methodist Church in Window Rock. Interment followed at the Wauneka family plot in Blue Canyon, Ariz.

Jonah was born March 8, 1949, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He died May 6, 2016, in Show Low, Ariz.

Jonah is survived by his wife, Dinah Dahozy Wauneka; son, Darren O. Wauneka; daughter, Dr. Jacquelyne Dahozy Wauneka; and three grandchildren.

Jonah is preceded in death by his father, Joe Wauneka; mother, Habanna Wauneka; brother, Paul Wauneka; and sister, Emma Billie.

Pallbearers were Darren O. Wauneka, Kody D. Wauneka, Olin Arviso, Oliver Arviso, Duane Platero, and Larren Jackson.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Kevin Ray Bitsilly

GALLUP – Funeral services for Kevin Ray Bitsilly, 25, were held May 11 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Kevin was born Dec. 31, 1991, in Gallup, into the Áshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nali is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People); chei is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House). He died May 7, 2016, in Gallup.

Kevin was a loving and caring son, brother, nephew, and uncle. He was always smiling and making his loved ones smile.

Kevin is survived by his mother, Marlene Davis; father, Ronald Bitsilly; brothers, Steven Yazzie, Ronald Bitsilly Jr., and Marc Bitsilly; sister, Melissa Alassi; stepmother, Alice Largo; stepfather, Edward Smith; brothers, Nicholas Largo, Matthew Largo, Joshua Bitsilly, and Jonavan Bitsilly; and sisters, Cotillion Bitsilly and Renee Bitsilly.

Pallbearers were Steven Yazzie, Ronald Bitsilly, Marc Bitsilly, Koby Yazzie, Brent Wauneka, and Aaron Davis.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Leo Slim

GALLUP – Funeral services for Melvin Leo Slim, 53, were held May 9 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Melvin was born Sept. 20, 1962, in Los Angeles, Calif., into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nali is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died May 3, 2016, in Rock Springs, N.M.

Melvin graduated from Window Rock High School in 1981 and was active in football, baseball, band, and track and field. He became a certified auto mechanic at American Technical Center and served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. He was a crew supervisor of Navajo Scouts and a fire monitor specialist at BIA Fire Management. He was a self-employed silversmith and a trumpet player for 20 years. He enjoyed music and horseback riding.

Melvin is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Yazzie, Geraldine Slim, Marlene Slim, Kimberly Slim, Patricia Slim, and Roberta Slim; and brother, Ronald Slim.

Melvin is preceded in death by his mother, Alyce R. Slim; father, Leo L. Slim Sr.; brother, Leo L. Slim Jr.; and niece, Tiffany Lee.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Teddy Bonnie

WIDE RUINS, Ariz. – Graveside service for Teddy Bonnie, 92, was held May 7 at the Wide Ruins community cemetery.

Teddy was born March 7, 1924, in Wide Ruins, Ariz. He passed away May 4, 2016, in Winslow, Ariz.

Teddy lived in Arizona all his life and enjoyed farming.

Teddy is survived by his daughters, Marlene Begay and Caroline Begay; cousins, Pauline Yazzie, Marie Mike and Hoskie Gaddy; stepsisters, Bertha Johnson, Winnie Bonnie and Jocetta Teller; and seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Teddy is preceded in death by his wife, Jesse Bonnie; brother, Jack James Sr.; and stepbrothers, Roy Bonnie and Ted Bonnie.

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

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