Deaths

• Begaye, Erwin
• Billy, Marjorie
• Claw, Tom
• Joe, Hoskie

Begaye, Erwin

GALLUP — Services are pending for Erwin Manuel Begaye, 42.

Begaye died Thursday, July 3, 2008, in Toll House, Calif. He was born Sept. 12, 1965, in Ganado.

A family gathering will be 6 p.m., July 3, at the Chilchitah Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Billy, Marjorie

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Marjorie E. Keedah Billy, 73, will be 1 p.m. July 3, at the Assembly of God Church, Fort Defiance. The Rev. Jerry Eastridge will officiate.

Billy died June 29, 2008, in Albuquerque. She was born Dec. 1, 1934, in Ganado, into the Water’s Edge People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

Billy was raised in Fort Defiance and that was where she went to elementary school. She attended Ganado Mission High School and graduated in 1954. Her senior year, she was named “Fleetfoot” when her classmates celebrated her as a mile runner and nicknamed her “Charging”. Billy worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with DNA Legal Services, the Navajo Area Indian Health Service before she retired. Her hobbies included traveling, swimming and outdoor activities and she had a good sense of humor.

Survivors include her son, Harry Emery; daughters, Erica Williamson, Amelia Curtis, Carrie Wilson; mother Elizabeth K. Keedah; sisters, Margaret Etsitty, Evelyn Bradley; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Billy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Billy; son, Erick Emery; father, Amos Keedah; step-father, Wilson Keedah Sr.; brothers, Wilson Keedah Jr., Nelson Keedah, Wilbert Keedah Sr.; sisters, Joann Escajeda, Caroline Smith, Ann Bennett, Shirley Emery.

Pallbearers will be friends and family members.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Assembly of God Church, following services.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Claw, Tom

BLACK HAT, N.M. — Services for Tom Claw, 101, will be 10 a.m. July 3, at the Bible Navajo-Wildcat Mission, Black Hat. The Rev. Jimmy Bowling will be the celebrant. Burial will on private family land, Black Hat.

Claw died June 27, 2008, in Gallup. He was born March 12, 1907, in Rock Springs.

Survivors include his daughter, Pauline Claw of Black Hat; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Claw was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eunice B. Claw; sons, Michael Claw, Jessie Claw Sr.

Pallbearers will be Olson Begay, Johnson Lee Sam Jr., Alexander Benson Claw, Johnson Nez, Alfred Mike and Jesse Claw Jr.

Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Joe, Hoskie

QUERINO CANYON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Hoskie Joe, 98, will be 10 a.m. July 3, at the Sanders Church of God, Sanders. Evangelist Arthur J. William will officiate. Burial will be in family plot, S.E. Querino Canyon.

Joe died June 29, 2008, in Gallup. He was born Feb. 16, 1910, in Burntwater, into the Towering House People Clan for the Black Sheep People Clan.

Joe was employed with the railroad for 60 years before he retired. He also worked with the Wingate Ordinareet Depot, some Sawmill Industries, and various labor jobs. After retirement he worked as a sheepherder, raising more than 100 sheep. Joe was the founder and member of the Querino Church of God. He was recognized as an active community member and leader at the Houck Chapter in 2000.

Survivors include his sons, Jackie Joe of Mentmore, Thomas Joe of Querino Canyon; daughters, Betty Benallie of Lupton, Mary Ashley of Querino Canyon, Nellie Begay of Querino Canyon, Grace Arviso of Houck, Joann Allen of Newcomb; 27 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; 35 great-great-grandhchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Joe; sons, Kee Yazzie Joe, David Joe; daugther, Aurelia Curley.

Pallbearers will be Lance Spurlock, Andrew Curley, Michael Smith, Ramanuel Livingston, Travis Baldwin, Lee Brendon.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Houck Chapter, following services.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.