Sam Vernon Windy Boy, Jr, "Jesus", "Walking Bear", 81, passed away in a house fire on Saturday, January 24, 2026.  Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in the Warriors' Burial Grounds Cemetery in Rocky Boy.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Sam was born on October 28, 1944, at home in Rocky Boy to Sam and Lucille (Little Sun) Windy Boy.  He was raised in Rocky Boy, attending school in Box Elder.  Following his school years, he married Bernadette Feather and the couple had a daughter before divorcing.  Sam entered the US Navy in 1966, serving in Vietnam, with his honorable discharge being granted in 1970.  Upon his return, Sam made his home in Crow Agency and then Billings for under 10 years where he was married to Janine Pease with whom he adopted a daughter and had a son.  The couple divorced, and Sam later had a son with Shelley Fyant.  He moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a short time, and soon headed to the Washington, DC/Maryland area, where he worked for the US Government for the next 15-20 years.  In 2010, he moved home to Rocky Boy where he worked for the schools and Stone Child College as a cultural consultant.

Sam was a private, kind man who always held his stern expression while joking and teasing.  He enjoyed crafting, sewing tee pees, making jewelry, playing machines, and fancy dancing.  He loved the Rocky Boy Sundance, as it was his favorite time of the year.  Sam was a mentor to many and very culturally supportive to many families.  He bestowed Indian names on many people and shared his vast cultural knowledge with any who wanted to learn, and he was active in performing many ceremonies.  At the time of his death, Sam was writing a book.  He absolutely adored his family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Clarice Windy Boy-Fox; parents, Sam and Lucille Windy Boy; sisters, Louise Stump, and Mary "Gwaysis" and Sella Windy Boy; brothers, Ivan Chester, Kevin, William Paul, Arthur "Ozzie", and twins, Keith and Darrell Windy Boy; grandson, Lathine Windy Boy; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sam is survived by his children, Rosella (Alvin) Strange Owl of Lame Deer, Sam "Buddy" (Sammi) Windy Boy III of Billings, and Darryl (Windy) Windy Boy of Arlee; seven grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sisters, Wendy (Dominic) Bradley, Elaine (Fredrick) Coffee both of Rocky Boy, and Rachael (David) Windy Boy of Billings; adopted brother, Kenneth (Lily) Roan of Ma-me-o, Canada; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.