VETERAN, WWII. U.S. MARINE, Corporal
Radioman / Navajo Code Talker
297th Platoon; Headquarters Co, 1st Battalion,
2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Saipan, and Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands); Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); Pacific Theater
Born (circa 1923) and raised on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Reservation
Related to Thomas Billey and Betty (Billey) Lowe
================================
Wilfred Billey, aged 90, died at his home in Farmington, New Mexico, following a short illness.
He was one of hundreds of Navajo Code Talkers who stumped the Japanese during World War II by relaying messages in their native language.
Mr. Billey fought in the South Pacific arena, with the all-Navajo 297th Platoon, which was part of the 1st Battalion in the 2nd Division. These battles took place in Saipan, the Tarawa Atoll, Tinian, and Okinawa.
Before the war, Mr. Billey attended high school at the Navajo Methodist Mission School in Farmington. After the war, Mr. Bailey finished his schooling and also earned bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. He also completed graduate work at the University of Wyoming. Mr. Billey worked over 40 years in the schools at Shiprock, New Mexico, as a teacher, an Indian Education director, and a principal. He also served as a counselor - all in northwestern New Mexico. Mr. Billey was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Mr. Billey spent the latter part of his life ranching, farming, fighting for his tribe's right to water from the San Juan River basin, and sharing the story of the Code Talkers. Mr. Billey also was a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Mr. Billey was survived by his wife, Matilda (Tsosie) Billey, daughter of Atsitty Ts'osi and Ida Mae Tsosie; and six children: Barbara M. Billey, Willard Billey, Linda (Billey) Kerr, Elsie S. Billey, Chuck Billey, and Warren P. Billey.
Funeral services are scheduled for December 21, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Farmington.
Radioman / Navajo Code Talker
297th Platoon; Headquarters Co, 1st Battalion,
2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Saipan, and Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands); Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); Pacific Theater
Born (circa 1923) and raised on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Reservation
Related to Thomas Billey and Betty (Billey) Lowe
================================
Wilfred Billey, aged 90, died at his home in Farmington, New Mexico, following a short illness.
He was one of hundreds of Navajo Code Talkers who stumped the Japanese during World War II by relaying messages in their native language.
Mr. Billey fought in the South Pacific arena, with the all-Navajo 297th Platoon, which was part of the 1st Battalion in the 2nd Division. These battles took place in Saipan, the Tarawa Atoll, Tinian, and Okinawa.
Before the war, Mr. Billey attended high school at the Navajo Methodist Mission School in Farmington. After the war, Mr. Bailey finished his schooling and also earned bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. He also completed graduate work at the University of Wyoming. Mr. Billey worked over 40 years in the schools at Shiprock, New Mexico, as a teacher, an Indian Education director, and a principal. He also served as a counselor - all in northwestern New Mexico. Mr. Billey was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Mr. Billey spent the latter part of his life ranching, farming, fighting for his tribe's right to water from the San Juan River basin, and sharing the story of the Code Talkers. Mr. Billey also was a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Mr. Billey was survived by his wife, Matilda (Tsosie) Billey, daughter of Atsitty Ts'osi and Ida Mae Tsosie; and six children: Barbara M. Billey, Willard Billey, Linda (Billey) Kerr, Elsie S. Billey, Chuck Billey, and Warren P. Billey.
Funeral services are scheduled for December 21, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Farmington.
VETERAN, WWII. U.S. MARINE, Corporal
Radioman / Navajo Code Talker
297th Platoon; Headquarters Co, 1st Battalion,
2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Saipan, and Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands); Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); Pacific Theater
Born (circa 1923) and raised on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Reservation
Related to Thomas Billey and Betty (Billey) Lowe
================================
Wilfred Billey, aged 90, died at his home in Farmington, New Mexico, following a short illness.
He was one of hundreds of Navajo Code Talkers who stumped the Japanese during World War II by relaying messages in their native language.
Mr. Billey fought in the South Pacific arena, with the all-Navajo 297th Platoon, which was part of the 1st Battalion in the 2nd Division. These battles took place in Saipan, the Tarawa Atoll, Tinian, and Okinawa.
Before the war, Mr. Billey attended high school at the Navajo Methodist Mission School in Farmington. After the war, Mr. Bailey finished his schooling and also earned bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. He also completed graduate work at the University of Wyoming. Mr. Billey worked over 40 years in the schools at Shiprock, New Mexico, as a teacher, an Indian Education director, and a principal. He also served as a counselor - all in northwestern New Mexico. Mr. Billey was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Mr. Billey spent the latter part of his life ranching, farming, fighting for his tribe's right to water from the San Juan River basin, and sharing the story of the Code Talkers. Mr. Billey also was a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Mr. Billey was survived by his wife, Matilda (Tsosie) Billey, daughter of Atsitty Ts'osi and Ida Mae Tsosie; and six children: Barbara M. Billey, Willard Billey, Linda (Billey) Kerr, Elsie S. Billey, Chuck Billey, and Warren P. Billey.
Funeral services are scheduled for December 21, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Farmington.
Radioman / Navajo Code Talker
297th Platoon; Headquarters Co, 1st Battalion,
2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Saipan, and Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands); Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); Pacific Theater
Born (circa 1923) and raised on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Reservation
Related to Thomas Billey and Betty (Billey) Lowe
================================
Wilfred Billey, aged 90, died at his home in Farmington, New Mexico, following a short illness.
He was one of hundreds of Navajo Code Talkers who stumped the Japanese during World War II by relaying messages in their native language.
Mr. Billey fought in the South Pacific arena, with the all-Navajo 297th Platoon, which was part of the 1st Battalion in the 2nd Division. These battles took place in Saipan, the Tarawa Atoll, Tinian, and Okinawa.
Before the war, Mr. Billey attended high school at the Navajo Methodist Mission School in Farmington. After the war, Mr. Bailey finished his schooling and also earned bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. He also completed graduate work at the University of Wyoming. Mr. Billey worked over 40 years in the schools at Shiprock, New Mexico, as a teacher, an Indian Education director, and a principal. He also served as a counselor - all in northwestern New Mexico. Mr. Billey was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Mr. Billey spent the latter part of his life ranching, farming, fighting for his tribe's right to water from the San Juan River basin, and sharing the story of the Code Talkers. Mr. Billey also was a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Mr. Billey was survived by his wife, Matilda (Tsosie) Billey, daughter of Atsitty Ts'osi and Ida Mae Tsosie; and six children: Barbara M. Billey, Willard Billey, Linda (Billey) Kerr, Elsie S. Billey, Chuck Billey, and Warren P. Billey.
Funeral services are scheduled for December 21, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Farmington.
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