The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

William F. Stiffarm, Nah-Nee-Thoughts-ick "Stands Alone", 79, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at Fort Belknap Health Services. Traditional Family Wake was held from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017, until Monday morning, at the family residence in Fort Belknap. Funeral services were11:00 a.m., on Monday, January 23, 2017, at the St. Paul Mission in Hays. Burial will follow in the Stiffarm Family Cemetery outside of Hays. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Bill's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Bill was born on October 29, 1937, in Hays to Thomas and Vina (Maloney) Stiffarm. He was raised in Hays until his family moved to Fort Belknap Agency during his school years. Bill graduated from Harlem High School in 1955, and worked for a couple of years before attending Northern Montana College, receiving his Associate's Degree in 1960. After college graduation, Bill joined the US Navy, and served until his honorable discharge in 1963. On September 27, 1965, Bill married Marlene Horseman in Chinook, and the couple made their home in Fort Belknap, where they raised their five biological and two adopted children. For 37 years, Bill worked for IHS until his stroke forced him to retire.

Bill enjoyed woodworking and puttering around the yard. He HAD to have his newspaper every day, and was the sole surviving member of the original Hays Singers. He loved his children, but he absolutely adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Vina Stiffarm; his son Duane Stiffarm; and all but two of his siblings.

He is survived by his beloved wife Marlene Stiffarm of Fort Belknap; his eight children Dean (Tina) Stiffarm, Sr. of Chinook, Elizabeth Stiffarm, Diane Stiffarm, John Stiffarm, Coleman (TaLayna Oats) Stiffarm, Jayde Stiffarm, Marsha Cochran, and Stacy Cole, all of Fort Belknap, and Shawn (Gustavo) Drago of Harlem; his daughter-in-law, Tricia Stiffarm of Fort Washakie, WY; his grandchildren, Dean Stiffarm, Jr., Colleen Stiffarm, Chance Stiffarm, Colton Stiffarm, Che Stiffarm, Collette Stiffarm, Taylor Stiffarm, Laticia Stiffarm, Lalayna Stiffarm, Kaidyn Stiffarm, Jordan Stiffarm, Jaiymiee Stiffarm, Joseph Stiffarm, Titus Stiffarm, John Stiffarm, Jr., and Tyra Stiffarm; his great-grandchildren, Caleb Stiffarm, Courtlyn Stiffarm, Sequoia Stiffarm, Treyton Mount, Kez'mae Stiffarm, and the love his daily life, Braiylee Stiffarm; his adopted brothers, Neil (Deeda) Adams, of Arlee, and Gail (Bobbi) Adams and Francis "Cutt" Adams, all of Fort Belknap; his sisters, Mary (Frank) Adams, Mel (Adams) Doney, and Nancy (George) Boushie, all of Fort Belknap; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

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