It is with great sadness that we announce our beloved father William L Smith, 87 of Modesto Calif., Blackfeet Nation, made his transition on Dec. 22, 2025.

He was born to Agnes M Belgrade Smith, Chippewa Cree, and William Raymond Smith, Blackfeet; the eldest son of 11 children. He was born in a cabin on St. Marys' Lake just on the other side of a creek that ran into the lake. His father, William R. Smith was an electrician and assisted in building the electrical line system on Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

A shared story was that while the family was busy and infant William was crying on the porch a mama bear who had lost her cub came and carried him off in her mouth. His father William R. had to rescue and scare off the mama bear.

As a young child, William had been very ill with pneumonia several times and was taken up to the Blackfoot Tribe in Canada to be healed through traditional ways and medicines with a Medicine Woman who was able to return him to good health. It was there as a young child; he was with those people who knew of their freedoms and a simple life before reservations. There were ongoing drum circles and stick games and the elders would spend time with him. He would love to surprise his kids and grandchildren with a game of hiding a small item behind his ear, hand, eyeball and have it reappear to their wonderment.

William was a second generation and one of four children to attend and to survive the Indian Catholic boarding school at St. Ignatius. He had to drop out of school before high school to work and hunt for his family, supporting his family being the eldest son.

When his father loaded up the car with the younger children to move out of state for work, he and his next youngest brother had to fend for themselves. He first went to the Army and was turned down due to lack of education. His younger brother joined the Army. He then went to the Navy and the recruiter listened and said let me give you a test. The Navy recruiter was amazed at the results and told him he scored as high as a sophomore in college. The Navy recruiter then took the paper results and walk down the hall to inform and tease the Army recruiter about what they had passed up on. William loved his service in the Navy and thought that it was the best experience for a young man. He easily and quickly advanced to an E-5 and was just a few weeks short of an E-6 before discharge. He considered very strongly to continue his service but his Supervising Officer would not let him out of his current position to go for Navy Seals Training and he felt a strong desire to be with his wife and growing family.

He received his AA in electronics. William had a very scientific mind and went to worked several jobs at once to provide for his family. He worked for 35 years for a global technology company known for its printers, copiers and digital document services. He continued to receive training as technology began to advance and they had to replace him with three people and was well known for excellent customer service and was renowned for his excellent skill in servicing the machines.

William met and married the love of his life, Jean Cecelia Thornton, while stationed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. He was stunned with her beauty, loving heart and practicality. He knew she could provide a good home and manage their finances well. They were quickly married in between tours and began their family. William was surprised when she told him she was of Native American descent. He thought how could this be possibly be as she was good looking with fine features, dainty and a red head. She is a direct descendent of a famous chief from the 1800's.

William worked hard to provide for his family and believed it was important to maintain contact and visited extended family frequently. He loved to sit outside and share his stories, tell his jokes, fish, golf- including a hole in one at Sawgrass, Fla.; play racquet ball with his kids, be in nature, Montana, point out constellations; He loved his children and grandchildren and often shared his stories and offer guidance. He did his best to create a better life than what he grew up in and was successful.

He is survived by Deborah Smith-Copado (Jose) Modesto; Grace Reger; William L Smith Jr (Peggy); brothers Ronald (Susan), Michael A (Sally), Richard Reardon (Christie), Hugh (Vickie), Julie Alvarado; six grandsons, two granddaughters and four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Jean; son Patrick; brother David; sisters Helen Smith, Thelma Soden (Henry), Marrianne Smith, Pamela Hernandez, Marcy Garay; parents Agnes M Belgarde Smith and William R Smith.

Mass will be celebrated at the Little Flower Church in Browning and Honor Guard at the family cemetery in Babb with internment with his wife. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life for William and Jean will be held after the snow melts and before those who think they are cowboys get up there in the Spring of 2026. Browning Funeral home will be handling the arrangements. All are invited to attend.