BILLY JAMES

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BILLY JAMES McKAY (BONES) It is with deep sorrow the family announces the passing of Billy James McKay (Bones) of Manto Sipi Cree Nation, at the Health Sciences Centre on Saturday, June 14, 2003, at the age of 24 years. Billy was born in Winnipeg on June 10, 1979, spending most of his life at Manto Sipi Cree Nation. Billy was the youngest councillor ever to serve the people of Gods River. He was well known and highly respected by the community. He enjoyed playing the guitar and loved to sing gospel songs. He was taught by his late grandfather Henry Okemow at an early age to sing gospel music. He leaves to cherish his beautiful memory his wife Cheryl McKay and daughter Liberty Courchene; mother Shirley McKay; mother-in-law Audrey Courchene; father-in-law Darrel Courchene; grandmother Helen Okemow; three aunts, Marion (Alex), Rhoda and Margaret; four uncles, Lawrence Okemow (Joan), Rudy Okemow (Violet), Wesley Okemow (Cecilia), and Marcel Okemow (Barbara) one sister Stephanie White (Jeffrey) four brothers, Wayne Okemow, Jeffrey McKay, Ryan McKay, Steve Scott (Cheyenne) two sisters-in-law, April and Alison Courchene. Cousins, Delores Okemow (John Angus), Dennis McKay (Francis), Martin McKay, Roxanna Yellowback (Mervin), Alex McKay Jr., Patrick McKay (Theresa), Margaret, David and Jerry McKay, Clyde Okemow (Francis), Neil Okemow (Dawn), Kevin Okemow, Angela Okemow, Noella Yellowback (Durphy), Mike Okemow (Donna), Desmond Okemow (Louise), Amos Okemow (Glenda), Ginger, Crystal and Bobby Okemow, David Okemow (Ernestine), Rachel Yellowback (Jeffrey), Larry Andrews (Linda), Darren Andrews, Christopher Andrews (Karen), Richard Andrews, Carrie and Danielle Okemow, Olivia Kirkness (Gordon), Mary Lou Okemow, Ivan and Darlene Okemow. There are numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by grandfather Henry Okemow; nieces, Naomi Andrews, Destiny Andrews, Desiree Andrews; nephew Dallas White; and cousin Angela Okemow. Prayers were said June 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Aboriginal Funeral Chapel, 724 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg. A wake was held at Manto Sipi Cree Nation on Tuesday, June 17 and will be held on Wednesday, June 18, also at Manto Sipi Cree Nation. The funeral will be held Thursday, June 19 at 1:00 p.m., also at the Manto Sipi Cree Nation Hall, with Rev. Hilda Perch officiating. Interment to follow at Manto Sipi Cemetery. ABORIGINAL FUNERAL CHAPEL 724 SELKIRK AVE. 586-7700

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 18, 2003