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Ma’hēō’o, the Great Spirit of the Universe, called home William F. Walks Along Sr. a husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandpa, and a good friend to the many people who crossed paths with this Northern Cheyenne man. His given Cheyenne name is Wolf Chief or Ho’néhévého. William was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa County April 29, 1959. He went to the peaceful spring-time Cheyenne camp late February 28, 2024. William died doing what he loved. He was presenting at a conference in Temecula, California, advocating for more resources for his Cheyenne people.

William was an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana. He was a direct descendant of his people who suffered or perished at the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe Village at Sand Creek in 1864. Sand Creek held a special place in his heart. William was involved with the Sand Creek activities since 1992. In 1996, he testified before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the Sand Creek Massacre Study Act.

He was present at the White House when President William J. Clinton signed the Act into Law.

On an annual basis, William supported and participated in the Sand Creek Massacre Healing Run. He made a personal commitment to assist in the concerted efforts to preserve and protect the Sand Creek Massacre Historic Site. He recently accepted an invitation from the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation to serve on the Sand Creek Advisory Council.

Over the past 30 years, William served in various capacities with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, including the following: President, Vice-President, Tribal Administrator, Acting Natural Resources Department Director, Tribal Council, Grant Writer, Consultant, Paralegal, the current Tribal Executive Administrator, and the Current Chairman of the Lame Deer School Board.

As a young teen, William knew hard work and dedication. He often helped his dad out with their family cows before going to school. He woke up at 5:00 a.m. every day to feed them. By 7:00 a.m., he was ready and leaving for school.

William was a lifelong Bronco fan, an Alumni fan of Washington State Cougars, an Alumni fan of Montana State University Bobcats, and a fan/advocate of The Lame Deer Morning Stars.

He earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Montana State University.

William married to Clarice Walks Along June 11, 2005.  He lived with his family in Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation

William and Clarice started their 4^th of July Breakfast in memory of Williams parents, Joe Sr. and Victoria Walks Along since 2007 at the powwow grounds for the community.

William Sr. is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Sr. and Victoria Walks Along; paternal grandparents, Hugh and Mamie Walks Along; maternal grandparents, Frank and Rose Long Jaw; and brothers, Victor and David.

He is survived by his wife, Clarice Walks Along; daughter, Mamie Walks Along; and son, William “Champion” Walks Along, Jr. After he married his wife, Clarice Walks Along, his children included Michelene and Tony Bearcomesout, Autumn, Kenzie (Leslie) Big Back, Kenneth “Jeff” (Vanta) and Dean Wallowing Bull. Other survivors include James, Joe Jr. (Lynn), John, Isaac (Lori), and Sharon (John) Threefingers. William had many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

William’s Northern Cheyenne Family are Whitewolfs, Limberhands, Bigbacks, Longjaws, Marshalls, BearComeOuts, Bradys, Yellowrobes, Baileys, Bearquivers, Beartusks, Wolfnames ,Limpys, Littlewhirlwinds, and Freemans. We apologize if we have missed including you in William’s extended family.

William is with the ancestors and family who have gone before us, sharing the journey he went on during his life.

A traditional wake was held March 14, 2024, at the Lame Deer Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held March 15, 2024, at Lame Deer High School Gym. Interment followed at the Walks Along Family Cemetery in Lame Deer.

Arrangements were under the direction of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes.