Wallace Thomas Wakan, age 74, of Billings, MT formerly of Poplar, MT passed away on February 18, 2011 at the Ponderosa Pine Nursing Home in Billings.
Wallace, son of George T. Wakan and Bessie Wakopa, was born October 28, 1936 in Poplar. He attended school in Poplar, and enjoyed playing basketball for the Indians. At the age of 18, he joined the air force and never returned home to stay for long; he was always traveling the country.
He enjoyed doing leather crafts, rodeo activities, and listening to country western music and Native American music.
Wallace is preceded in death by his parents, George and Bessie Wakan; brothers, Albert “Bacon”, Jesse, Leonard “Sharkie”, Felix, and Julius Wakan; sisters, Mary Buckles and Alice Brown; and nephews and nieces.
He is survived by his sister, Lorraine Stormy of Poplar; son, Marlon (Rita) Hunte of Cannon Ball, ND; daughter, Michelle Demas of Winnepeg, Manitoba; cousins, Cecelia and Angeline Brown of Pipestone, Manitoba, Nellie Silk of Wolf Point, MT and Mary Ann Grey Bull of Billings; nephews and nieces, Pearl Hopkins, Louise Ell, Gloria Chopper, Delilah Alfrey of Lapwei, ID, Alberta Hedine, Laverne Wakan, Linda Parslow all of Spokane, WA, Prisella Wakan of Missoula, MT, Georgia Red Eagle and Charles Wakan of Lewistown, MT, Richard and Rodney Stormy, Jackie (John) Spotted Bird of Poplar, Barbara Birdsbill of Wolf Point and Frank Hapa of Fort Kipp, MT; grandchildren, Derrik Hunte of Grandforks, ND, Isaiah Hunte of Cannonball, ND, Kelsey Hunte and Marlo Hunte Beaubrun both of Bismark, ND; great grandchildren, Asonah, Weston, and Carson Hunte, and Zion Beaubrun. We apologize if we forgot to mention anyone.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, February 24 at the Poplar Cultural Center. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, February 25 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Box Elder Cemetery in Poplar.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.