William "Billy" Bryan

William “Billy” Harrison Bryan, also known as 'Big Eagle', was born to George and Clara “Winona” (Crow) Bryan on September 6, 1942 in Pipestone, Minnesota where he was raised and received his education. In his adulthood, he had three beautiful daughters. Billy enjoyed visiting close friends in South Dakota, attending adventurous rendezvous and especially the shooting competition, black powder musket. On October 14, 2012, he was brought to Pipestone County Medical Center and was then transported to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he died at the age of 70 years, one month and six days.

His father, George “Standing Eagle”, began to pass on the art and skill of pipestone carving to his boys, Dick and Billy, at a young age. From then on, carving became an everyday part of Billy’s life. He was always eager to share his knowledge and love of Pipestone. His presence was large at the Pipestone National Monument, where he worked in the quarry and as a pipe carver into retirement age, still carving daily to keep up his work, a true love. Billy always had a smile and a kind hello to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by his family and numerous friends throughout the years.

He is survived by his daughters, Melanie Harff, Barb Bryan and Shontel Bot; two grandsons; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Winona; and his brother, Richard Bryan.