Code Talker to be laid to rest Friday

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — More details have been announced about Willie K. Begay, the Navajo Code Talker who passed away Monday. He was 88.

Begay was ill with cancer, his daughter Kristy Kescoli Begay said.

A graveside funeral service will take place 10 a.m., Friday, at the Terresa Little residence in Forest Lake, which will be officiated by the Forest Lake Bible Church. Burial will be at the family cemetery, according to the Navajo Nation president’s office.

President Joe Shirley expressed his condolences to the family of Begay Wednesday.

“It is with greater sadness that we bid farewell to our honored Code Talkers,” Shirley said.

Shirley said that as a young man, Begay answered the call of the country, joined the Marines and left his home to defend the United States at great personal risk.

Begay was born March 21, 1921, in Forest Lake, Ariz., according to the president’s office. He attended Keams Canyon Boarding School and Fort Wingate High School up to 11th grade.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Aug. 10, 1944, in Santa Fe and was discharged on July 5, 1946. He served with the 3rd Marine Division.

Begay went to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for special military qualification and training to be a Code Talker.

Begay received a Congressional Silver Medal in recognition of his service in 2001.

He worked at the Piñon Trading Post from 1946 until he retired in 1984.

Begay is survived by wife Alice Natonie Begay and children Irene Nez, Darlene Chee, Nelson K. Begay, Dennison K. Begay, Kristy Kescoli Begay, brother Ned Kescoli, sister Maxine Kescoli, Mae Pulino, Mary Gilmore, Julia Russell, Alice Jane Begay, Irene Crank and Mary Ann Sherlock eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.