Royce Birdsbill Sr. age 49, completed his journey in this life and made his way through the veil entering the spirit world Wednesday May 1, 2019 in Billings MT of natural causes.
“Royce-Doyce” as he was affectionately called by friends and family, was also known simply by dad and uncle by those he loved most. Royce was born to Charles Michael and Loverty Clancy Birdsbill June 9, 1969. He was a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Peck Mt.
Royce attended grade school in Wolf Point Mt. He was a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sealed to his parents in the L.D.S. Temple in Salt Lake City Utah. He married Heather Moreno on February 14, 2012 in Wolf Point, MT. He loved to be cruising and helping his people.
Royce was a loving, kind hearted man whose greatest joy was his children. Jazzy recalls the time he tied a sled to the back of grandma’s car and pulled her around the block. Grandma Loverty was mad at him thinking she could have gotten hurt, but Jazz loved it. She also recalls the time he rented a limo for her 5th birthday, making her feel like a big kid.
In his youth Royce loved to attend powwows with his family. He was taught to hoop dance by his brother in law Courage Benally and danced with him when he performed at powwows. Courage made him a hand drum so he could learn to sing.
Royce was the baby of Charles and Loverty’s children. He was shy, funny, and generous to a fault; helping family members when he could.
Royce’s adult life took a dark turn as he got older due to addictions yet, the young caring boy could still be seen in him. You would find the scriptures opened and lying on the table of his house or when he would show up at his sister’s house with an antique item for her, because he knew she liked antiques. Or when he got his mother, who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, dressed, hair brushed and ready for church on Sundays.
Royce loved his Jackson Dancing Bull Family who he stayed with for a while in New Town ND. He laughed when he told of the time he was taken to jail. Matriarch Aleta heard what happened and came to his rescue, cussing out the cops, and securing his release. Also the time he visited auntie Mary Fox and her rooster attacked him. Clarky asked him, did that rooster spur you? When auntie Mary asked him if he was alright he replied, “That rooster spurred the Hell out of me”, he was around 6 years old at the time.
Royce was proceeded in death by his sisters, Helen Marie, sister Bernadette Vanchon Birdsbill, brothers Verdell, Bobby Birdsbill, Alan E. Birdsbill, Anthony Birdsbill C.M. Birdsbill Jr. and nephew Brad White Eagle and Carmen D. Birdsbill. His mother Loverty Clancy Birdsbill and Father Charles Michael Birdsbill.
He is survived by his wife Heather Birdsbill of Wolf Point Mt., children, Royce Birdsbill Jr. Wolf Point MT, Jasmine Stewart Gillette WY, Dawnee Birdsbill Gillette WY, Choya, Destiny, Toni Birdsbill Billings Mt. Dovan and Shiarie Birdsbill. Sisters Gloria Birdsbill Detroit MI, Shirly Soldo Palm Bay Fl., Patricia Birdsbill Billings Mt., Kathy Birdsbill , Vanchon Birdsbill , Osta Birdsbill, Wolf Point MT, Jessica White Eagle Seattle WA, Brothers, Vernon Birdsbill, Michael Birdsbill, Wolf Point MT, and Darrell Birdsbill Blackfoot ID.
A wake will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point. A funeral will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point with burial to follow at the Greenwood Cemetery, close to his mother. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.