Beloved Blackfeet Elder William L. Smith Passes at 87

Smith, a Navy veteran and longtime technology worker, is remembered for his storytelling, love of family, and connection to his Native roots.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 2:55am

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William L. Smith, a lifelong resident of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, passed away on December 22, 2025 at the age of 87. Smith was the eldest of 11 children born to Agnes M. Belgrade Smith, Chippewa Cree, and William Raymond Smith, Blackfeet. He had a storied life, including surviving a childhood illness with the help of a Blackfoot medicine woman, serving in the Navy, and working for decades at a global technology company.

Why it matters

Smith's life story reflects the challenges and resilience of many Native Americans who grew up on reservations and had to overcome obstacles to build successful lives. His deep connection to his Blackfeet heritage and commitment to family are inspiring, and his passing marks the loss of an elder who carried on important cultural traditions.

The details

As a young child, Smith was very ill with pneumonia and was taken to the Blackfoot Tribe in Canada to be healed through traditional medicines and practices. He later attended and survived the Indian Catholic boarding school at St. Ignatius, having to drop out before high school to work and support his family. Smith then served in the Navy, quickly advancing to the rank of E-5, and later worked for 35 years at a global technology company, becoming renowned for his excellent customer service and technical skills.

  • William L. Smith was born in a cabin on St. Mary's Lake on the Blackfeet Nation.
  • Smith passed away on December 22, 2025 at the age of 87.
  • A Celebration of Life for Smith and his wife Jean will be held after the snow melts and before the 'cowboys' arrive in the Spring of 2026.

The players

William L. Smith

An 87-year-old resident of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, the eldest of 11 children born to Agnes M. Belgrade Smith, Chippewa Cree, and William Raymond Smith, Blackfeet. He was a Navy veteran and longtime technology worker known for his storytelling, love of family, and connection to his Native roots.

Jean Cecelia Thornton

The wife of William L. Smith and a direct descendant of a famous chief from the 1800s. She and William met and married while he was stationed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida.

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What they’re saying

“A shared story was that while the family was busy and infant William was crying on the porch a mama bear who had lost her cub came and carried him off in her mouth. His father William R. had to rescue and scare off the mama bear.”

— William L. Smith

“He loved to sit outside and share his stories, tell his jokes, fish, golf- including a hole in one at Sawgrass, Fla.; play racquet ball with his kids, be in nature, Montana, point out constellations; He loved his children and grandchildren and often shared his stories and offer guidance.”

— William L. Smith

What’s next

A Celebration of Life for William and Jean Smith will be held after the snow melts and before the 'cowboys' arrive in the Spring of 2026.

The takeaway

William L. Smith's life story is a testament to the resilience and cultural traditions of the Blackfeet people. Despite the challenges he faced, including illness as a child and having to leave school early, he went on to serve his country, build a successful career, and remain deeply connected to his Native roots and family. His passing is a loss for the Blackfeet community, but his legacy of storytelling, love of nature, and commitment to his people will continue to inspire.