Deaths

• Shawn Billie
• Rose Smith
• Fleming Begaye, Jr.
• Fred Etcitty
• Wallace Shirley
• Marci Nez
• Arron Benally

Shawn Billie

MEXICAN SPRINGS — Funeral services for Shawn Joseph Billie, 26, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27 at the Christian Reformed Church in Tohatchi. Stanley Jim will officiate. Burial will follow at Mexican Springs.

Billie died June 20, 2007. He was born November 18, 1980 in Fort Defiance into the Mexican People Clan for the Big Water People Clan.

Billie graduated from Tohatchi High School in 1998 and attended Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa. He worked with various internships and food chains. He was last employed with Arby's in Gallup. Billie received academic awards through high school. He enjoyed reading, cooking, playtime with his sisters, and listening to daily radio talk shows.

Survivors include his parents, Curtis and Annette Bitsie of Mexican Springs and Enfamio and Margie Billie of Lower Greasewood, Ariz; brothers, Enthaniel Billie and Adrian Billie both of Lower Greasewood; sisters, Rebecca Bitsie and Adrianna Bitsie both of Mexican Springs, and Kyrene Billie of Lower Greaswood; grandmother, Katie Lyman of Sunrise, Ariz.

Billie was preceded in death by his brother, Cody Bitsie.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Sandoval, Lindsey Mescal, Jayme Maestas, Ronnie Phelps, Aaron Ross, and James Dawes.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Mexican Springs Chapter.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Rose Smith

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral service for Rose B. Smith, 77, will be at 2 p.m. June 27 at the Klagetoh Shelter Mission. Pastor Willie Montoya will officiate. Burial will follow at the Klagetoh Community Cemetery.

Smith died June 23 in Cottonwood, Ariz. He was born February 10, 1930 in Klagetoh into the Coyote Pass Clan for the Red Running into the Water Clan.

Smith was an active member of Klagetoh Shelter Mission for many years. She was a homemaker, and a rug weaver specializing in Klagetoh and Ganado Red style of rugs.

Survivors include her sons, Willie Smith, Jr., and Elroy Smith ; daughter, Pauline Yazzie; brother, Ambrose Reed; sister, Dorothy Reed Montoya; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Smith was preceded in death by her husband, William Smith; parents, Jack and Laura Green; and Jason Nez.

Pallbearers will be Leroy Smith, Philbert Nez, Laman Arviso Wyatt Arviso, Richard Billy, and Sampson Larson.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Klagetoh Chapter House Chapter.

Fleming Begaye, Jr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Fleming David Begaye, Jr., 57, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 27 at Chinle Christian Center. Pastor Artie Aragon will officiate. Burial will follow at the Tso's family plot in Many Farms.

Begay, Jr. died June 23, 2007 in Chinle. He was born April 24, 1950 in Ganado into the Mescalaro Apache for the Bitter Water Clan.

Begaye, Jr. graduated from Chinle High School in 1969. He was a self-employed farmer and rancher. His hobbies include tending to livestock, hunting, and fishing.

Survivors include his son, Stanbach T. Begaye of Lukachukai; daughter, Valencia V. Tso of Lukachukai; parents, Fleming and Helen M. Begaye of Chinle; sister, Veronica Walters of Fort Defiance; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Sherwin T. Tso and Donovan Totsohnie; and brother, Otis E. Begaye.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Potter's House, Chinle Christian Center following the services.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Fred Etcitty

NASCHITTI — Graveside services for Fred Lee Etcitty, 64, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Naschitti Community Cemetery. Daniel Johnson will officiate.

Etcitty died June 21, 2007 in Naschitti. He was born May 21, 1943 in Cove, Ariz.

Etcitty received his associates degree. He was a budget officer for the Navajo Nation and also worked for the government. His hobbies included golf.

Survivors include Lillie H. Etcitty; sons, Washington Etcitty, Fritz Etcitty, and Rueben Etcitty; daughters, Suzette Begay, Suzanna Etcitty, Sue Rena Etcitty, Brenda Gaddy, Berlinda Gaddy, Roselinda Gilpin, and Melinda Gaddy; sisters, Daisy Browhat and Minnie Yazzie; 12 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Washington Etcitty, Fritz Etcitty, Rueben Etcitty, Nobert John, Leslie John, and Tony Lee.

Wallace Shirley

GANADO — Funeral services for Wallace Shirley, 78, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 27 at the Presbyterian Church in Ganado. Tom White will officiate. Burial will follow at Ganado Community Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Shirley died June 22, 2007 in Cottonwood. He was born February 21, 1929 in Kinlichee, Ariz. into the Coyote Pass Clan for the Bitterwater Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Shirley; sons, Kelvin Shirley of Breadsprings and Ervin Shirley of Gallup; daughters, Lorraine Teller of Gallup, LaVerne Jones of Gallup, Darlene Shirley of Burnside, Ariz., Judy Willetto of Gallup, Lenora Shirley of Klagetoh, and Veronica Miller of Iyanbito; brother, Peter Shirley; sisters, Isabelle, Hazel, and Angela; 30 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by his son, Marvin Shirley; parents, Billy and Louise Shirley; brothers, Wilson, Phillip, and James Shirley; sister, Annie Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Watchman, Sherwin McCabe, Loren McCray, Kevin Shirley, Fred Shirley, and Patrick Willetto.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Shirley residence.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Marci Nez

TSAILE, Ariz. — Services for Marci A. Nez, 25, will be announced at a later date.

Nez died June 23 in Chinle. She was born September 21, 1981 in Fort Defiance.

Arron Benally

CHINLE — Funeral services for Arron Alfred Benally, 29, will be announced at a later date.

Benally died June 22, 2007 in Chinle. He was born June 30, 1977 in Fort Defiance into the Red Left-handed Clan for the Red Running into the Water Clan.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.