Funeral services for Wilbur Flying By, Sr, 78, of Little Eagle, will be at 1:00 PM (MDT) Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the McLaughlin Blue Gym. Burial will be in the Elkhorn Cemetery in Rural Little Eagle under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM (MDT), Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Blue Gym in McLaughlin with an all-night wake to follow. Wilbur passed away, January 1, 2025, at Missouri Slope Nursing Home in Bismarck.

Wilbur Dwight Flying By, Sr. was born April 24, 1946, to the Reverend Moses and Leona (Hayes) Flying By in Little Eagle, South Dakota on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.   Wilbur was born into a family of ministry and spent his early years in Little Eagle and Phoenix, Arizona where his father Moses attended Cook Christian Training School. The family eventually moved back to South Dakota, to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, namely Cherry Creek, South Dakota, as that was where his father's ministry had taken them.  Wilbur graduated high school in After high school Wilbur enlisted in the United States Army where he served for 3 years, 10 months at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and Ft. Ord, California. Wilbur was awarded the following military honors following his discharge from the US Army:  National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Expert Badge with Machine Gun and Automatic Rifle Bar, Parachutist Badge, and National and Defense Service Medal.  He was a proud veteran and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, he was involved in various Veterans groups on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Wilbur was a sundancer and a traditional dancer, he enjoyed going to powwow's and gatherings, he continued his beliefs in the cultural ways of his people while living in the modern age.  He was a member of the Elk Horn United Church of Christ and he always enjoyed taking his grandchildren with him to church where they participated in youth activities. He was a great father and an awesome grandfather to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some of the kids took turns living with him & his grandson Gideon was always at his side.  As his health began failing they took care of him the best they could until he entered into assisted care living.  Exposure to the Agent Orange chemicals while in the military became a contributing factor to the illnesses he faced, but he remained positive and hopeful, although he struggled with his health, he never gave up.

Wilbur also attended Cook Christian Training School in Tempe, Az and served as a United Church of Christ ministry intern on the Fort Kipp Indian Reservation in the 1970's.  Wilbur then attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree.  He worked at Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, ND from 1996 and retired in 2007.  He was an instructor, mentor and teacher, fluent Lakota language speaker, he was a great teacher of life, an impactful leader and guided many on positive paths in their lives.

Wilbur had lost his oldest son, Wilbur "Sluggo" Flying By, Jr., in August 2024, which was a very hard loss for him as they were never very far apart, Wilbur was also the last surviving of the children of the Moses & Leona Flying By family.   He is survived by his daughter, Maxine Flying By, his son, John Flying By and many relatives on the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River reservations.  He is also survived by his grandchildren: Gideon Flying By, Myron Noisy Hawk, Ronald Noisy Hawk, Jr., John Noisy Hawk, Anthony Flying By, Eloise Flying By, Stephanie Flying By, Brianne Flying By, Julie Flying By, Hannah Flying By, Sarah Flying By, Phyllis Flying By, Raylin Flying By, Kia Ouelette, Talia, Anzley, and Kenzley.  His great-grandchildren:  Raya, K'Liyah, Josephine, Gabriel, Ameira, Oscar, Treyvon, Adelia, Vincent, River Jr., Leona, Emoree, Dipper, Elijah, Phoebe, Isabelle, Takoda, Caydence & Ansel.  Two aunts also survive, Betty Hayes Handley of Rapid City, SD and Clarice Eagleshield Miner of Eagle Butte, SD.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wilbur Flying By, Jr., granddaughter Whitney Romaine Flying By, grandson, Joseph Noisy Hawk, his parents, Moses & Leona Flying By, sisters, Cordelia Benoist, Faye Condon, Magdeline Long Feather, Menoda Flying By Stewart and an infant sister Aurelia Flying By.  His brothers, Russell Flying By, Myron Flying By, Byron Flying By also precede him in death.

The family is grateful that his knowledge will live on in the many lives he has touched, and that the memories of him bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.