Boyd M. Denetdeel

Funeral services for Boyd Morris Denetdeel, 72, were 11 a.m., today, Sept. 21, at Good Shepherd Mission, Fort Defiance. The Rev. Stephen Kensley officiated. Burial was in Coal Mine. Visitation was 10-11 a.m., today, Sept. 21. Denetdeel died Sept. 16, 2010, in Fort Defiance. He was born March 19, 1938, in Fort Defiance, into the Saline Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Denetdeel attended Fort Defiance Boarding School and Intermountain Indian School, Brigham City, Utah. He was employed at D&J, Deburring, North Hollywood, Calif., and General Dynamics, Fort Defiance, Whiteriver School District, Sacaton Tribal Houseing and IMC, Tempe. He retired in 2000. His hobbies included horses, rodeos and enjoyed his family and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Dennison Denetdeel; sons, Freddie Denetdeel of Long Beach, Calif., Boyd Velthe of Santa Rosa, Calif., Lionel Dawes of Fort Defiance; daughters, Kimberly Williams of Fort McDell, Ariz., Sharon Denetdeel of Mesa, Sheresa Denetdeel of Mesa, Bernadine Letcher of Santa Fe; brothers, Robinson Denetdeel of Albuquerque, Stanley Denetdeel of Fort Defiance, Ray Denetdeel of Pueblo of Sandia, Henry Wallace of Fort Defiance; sisters, Janet Dawes of Fort Defiance, Susie Longhurst of Fort Defiance, Priscilla Yildir of Phoenix, Bertha Denetdeel of Fort Defiance, Anita Denetdeel of Fort Defiance, Rose Wallace of Burnt Water, Sarah Aguitar of Odessa, Texas; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Denetdeel was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Frances Denetdeel; son, Ivan Dawes; brother, Ernest Wallace; one granddaughter; one grandson. Pallbearers were Duane Denetdeel, Dwindle Denetdeel, Anthony Letcher, Lionel Dawes, Kenneth Howtotag, Matthew Clark. The family received relatives and friends at Helen Billie’s residence, Old Coal Mine, following services. Arrangements are entrusted to: Cope Memorial Chapel 1830 Barbara Ave. Gallup, New Mexico 505-722-6671