William "Bill" Navo

William "Bill" Navo, 78, of Fort Hall, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2012 at a local hospital. Bill was born in Lincoln Creek on the Fort Hall Indian reservation in a traditional moon house. He was the son of Charlie Navo and Zuni White Bear Navo. His grandparents were Old Man White Bear, (a tribal headman in Virginia City, Montana, a Shoshoni-Bannock aboriginal territory), and May Hammer, (a tribal medicine woman). He lived in Salmon, Idaho from the time he was six years old. It was there where he met his future wife, Aveline Bear, and later moved to Fort Hall. He worked for many years in farming and then worked for Shoshone-Bannock Tribal maintenance for 10 years and retired. He was a member of the Native American Church and also a member of the N.A.C. board, an organization to preserve traditional Native American ceremonies. He enjoyed visiting with his sister, family and friends, and especially his grand-nieces and nephews. His interests included; watching his favorite sports teams, playing at the casino, and traveling. Although he was retired he was meticulous in repair and organization around his house and helping others. Bill is survived by his sister, Camille Navo George, Fort Hall, Idaho, a very close brother-in-law, Alton "Weeks" Bear, Fort Hall, Idaho, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & nephews and great grand-nieces & nephews. Bill was a widower after 55 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Aveline Bear Navo, brothers, Elmer, Conoway, Richard, and Alfred Navo; sisters, Lillie Sawyer, Gertie, Belle and Carmelita Navo. Traditional Native American services will be held at 2 PM Friday, April 13, 2012 at the Gibson Cemetery. Traditional Tipi viewing will begin Wednesday morning until Friday afternoon at the home of Alton "Weeks" Bear on Reservation Road (between Philbin and Hawthorne).