TAILFEATHERS, Homer Winston (Butch)

TAILFEATHERS

HOMER WINSTON (BUTCH) TAILFEATHERS “Ikinaputa” (taking off slow and rising up), beloved husband of Johnel (Peaches), passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Butch was born on the Blood Reserve at home on July 22, 1942, hence the name Homer, and Winston after Winston Churchill. His Blackfoot name came from the events that day of his birth where the current tribal leaders were being flown around the reserve. His name is reminiscent of a plane taking off slowly and rising up, Ikinaputa. His parents were Kenneth and Helen Tailfeathers. He leaves to mourn, his beloved wife, Peaches, of 47 years. When Butch and Peaches met, they formed a little Family, made up of Gina, Tracy, and soon DeeDee. They had a rich Family life, with the Girls, and then soon, Sons-in-law, Tim and Slim, and Grandchildren, Frankie (Sharlee), Ben (Clare), Clay, Mandy (Arkyn), Rylan (Kaitlen), Fallyn, McCarthy, and Dylan. He was a wonderful, loving and fun ‘Grampa’, and adored by all the grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren, Rhyle, Cooper, and Piper; adopted grandchildren Charmayne, Rodie, Trey, Chase and nieces and nephews.

Butch was a hard-working man. He worked for many departments with the Blood Tribe, especially with the Housing Department, Public Works, Administration, and the Band Ranch. He believed in working hard, and drove trucks delivering building materials, planted trees to beautify the parks, worked on the roads, built and installed cabinets. One special and important project he did for housing was to document every standing structure on the Reserve. He also helped to build the barracks and Chief Mountain Customs building, and some of the administration buildings in Waterton, and as well, he worked for the sulfur plant. He was also very artistically talented, and combined his talent with his carpentry skills to create many beautiful functional pieces of artwork. Butch and Peaches loved to be outdoors, going on their daily walks, working and beautifying their yard. They planted many trees together, which today are so very tall. They also spent a lot of time building and working on their Cabin in Blackfeet Country. He loved it there, it was their little place of paradise, especially when all the Kids showed up for a picnic.

Butch was also very athletic, involved in Rodeo, and as a younger man in Boxing. He represented the Blood Reserve and St. Paul’s Boxing Clubs, going all the way to win at the Provincial Golden Gloves. He was a formidable opponent. He also was a top Calf Roper until a roping injury. Butch was an All Around talented man, as an Artist, Cowboy, Athlete, Craftsman, and overall, an unforgettable Role Model. He was a great guy, making Friends wherever he traveled. He and Peaches made an annual trip to the CM Russell Art Show where they shared a common love for western art, they developed many friendships in the western art world. He was also a joker and great storyteller, and loved to share jokes, and had good laughs with everyone. He was proud of his culture and spoke fluent Blackfoot, speaking the high Blackfoot language. He preferred to speak Blackfoot.

Along with his loving Family, he also leaves to mourn his daughter Susan, and son, Craig; sisters Shirley and Beverly; sisters-in-law Audrey, Sylvia, and Rosie Jane.

Butch was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth & Helen; brothers, Tuffy, Punch, Punky and Spike; sisters, Caroline and Byrdeen; grandson Hayden.

The Family is so very grateful to Dr. Bester and the Staff at the Long Term Care Centre at the Cardston Hospital, especially Susan, Saul, Tammy, Cathy, Roxy, Elizabeth, Melanie, Adelaide (Dolly) Creighton, and all who made Butch’s long stay a little easier for him, providing such compassionate care. Apologies to anyone forgotten.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate Butch’s Life will be held at the SOUTH HILL CHAPEL, CARDSTON, on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in the Family Cemetery.

Send condolences at www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.