William "Bill" Hugh Howell

William “Bill” Hugh Howell was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma on February 21, 1946, and died on June 28, 2023 at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 7 days. His full life was built on commitment and service to his family, the Pawnee Nation, his country, his hometown, and his friends. Bill was a writer, a printer, an organizer, and advocate for the rights of tribal people, a good friend to many and a man with a large heart, a sharp mind and seemingly endless energy. He was a Vietnam era Army veteran who served his country unquestioningly during a difficult time in its history, suffering from debilitating health issues later in life as a result of that service.

A member of the Pitahawirata Band he served the Pawnee Nation in many ways but particularly by serving as the Nasharo Council as Head Chief and as Band Chief for many years and as a leader of the Pawnee Indian Veterans Association, in various capacities, for many years also. Bill was also the Pawnee/Wichita Visitation Leader, up until his passing.

Bill was the backbone of the Pawnee Chief weekly newspaper for years, writing most of it and laying it out, getting it to the printer and distributing it through town. His dedication to young people in Pawnee by recognizing their achievements in the classroom and on sports teams was unsurpassed. His unflinching commitment to truth and directness in his public life made him a man whose word could be trusted.

Bill was a stand-out athlete in his former years and continued playing sports well into adulthood; playing slow-pitch softball and basketball until his forties, as many knew Bill as a fierce competitor. Later in life, he would follow his granddaughters around to all their sporting events, travel ball, school ball, Indian ball; he was there for all of it as many would know him as a very proud Ahpat.

Bill is proceeded in death by his son William Howell Jr., his parents, Wadsworth & Hilda Belle (Taylor) Howell; his sisters and brothers, Julia Howell, Charlie Howell, Jesse ‘Dumps’ Howell, Muriel (Howell) Robedeaux. Bill is survived by his wife Sara Clementine (Gover) Howell, daughters and son, Angela Reid and her husband Lou Reid of New Mexico, Lisa Howell of North Carolina, Angel Riding In of Pawnee, Douglas Patterson Gover of Pawnee, and Reva Belle Howell Garcia and her husband Rogelio Garcia of Pawnee; and by his brothers George Howell & Gordan Howell. He was also survived by his abundance of (18) grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, his many nieces & nephews, cousins and as he would put it many in-laws and outlaws.