Funeral services for William J. Cadotte, age 75, of Wakpala will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Wakpala. Burial will be in the St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Wakpala Community Center in Wakpala. William passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Med Center One in Bismarck, ND.

William James Cadotte, Jr. was born October 23, 1935 to the late William and Julia (Martin) Cadotte. Many of his friends and family knew him as "Jr." he was the oldest of nine children. William (Bill) was born in Wakpala, South Dakota, spent most of his youth traveling through several states because his family was always relocating. After completing 10th grade and shortly after his father's passing, Bill joined the Navy, where he served 18 years (June 1954 - August 1972). While enlisted, Bill honorably served in the Korean War ND Vietnam War (two) tours. While serving his country, he received many honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Meritorious Unit Citation and Antarctic Expedition Medal. Bill also furthered education while serving in the Navy by successfully completing several trainings, including Cargo Handling School (Williamsburg VA), Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare School (Norfolk, VA) and Firefighting and Damage Control School (Norfolk, VA), NTC for Seaman (SN), BMR, MRPO 3 & 2, BM 3 & 2. He eventually was Honorably Discharged, holding the rank of Boatswains Mate Seaman.

One of Bill's most distinguished honors happened when he was selected to serve in the Color Guard for John F. Kennedy's funeral. As an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, husband, father, brother, uncle, it was a proud moment in his family's history to guard the body of John F. Kennedy. Bill eventually went on to become a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

After serving his country, Bill came home to Wakpala, SD and continued to volunteer a lot of his time for service to veterans on the Reservation. He served as Commander of his local Veterans Lodge in Wakpala, South Dakota, where he devoted his time as part of the Honor Guard during Pow-Wows and transporting Veterans to the VA Hospitals, when needed. His strong dedication to Veterans was demonstrated by his many years of commitment to raising Veteran's flags at the Cemetery every Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

He is survived by his wife Wanda Williamson) Cadotte, Daughters-Candice Cadotte of Grand Forks, ND and Averial Cadotte of Wakpala, SD Sister-Wilma (Cadotte) Patterson of Fort Yates, ND, Great-grandson-Jayden Joseph Haro of St. Paul, MN and his adopted brother-Charles Murphy. Bill also had many cousins, nephews, nieces and grandchildren, to numerous to mention.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Pete Cadotte and Harriet (Sanderson) Cadotte and parents- William James Cadotte, Sr., and Julia (Martin) Cadotte. His uncles-Joseph Cadotte and John Cadotte. His aunts-Marion (Cadotte) Foss, Veronica (Cadotte) Howard, Catherine Cadotte and Louise (Cadotte) Two Hearts. Sisters-Melda D. Cadotte, Alsace (Cadotte) Two Bears. His brothers-Henry H. Cadotte, Francis "Apple" D. Cadotte, Delvin W. Cadotte, Robert M. Cadotte and Darrell J. Cadotte. His brother-in-law Patrick Two Bears, Sr.