Walter "Willie" Kesoli Begay, Navajo Code Talker

Willie Kesoli "Navajo Code Talker" Begay

Birth: Mar. 21, 1921 Arizona, USA

Death: Jun. 1, 2009 Polacca Navajo County Arizona, USA

Willie (Walter) Kesoli Begay, one of our U.S.M.C. WWII Navajo Code Talkers has passed away, Monday, June 1, 2009 in Polacca, AZ. This is the third Navajo Code Talker to pass away within a two week period.

WINDOW ROCK — More details have been announced about Willie K. Begay, 88, the Navajo Code Talker who passed away Monday. Begay was ill with cancer, his daughter Kristy Kescoli Begay said.

A graveside funeral service will take place 10:00 a.m., Friday, at the Teresa Little residence in Forest Lake, which will be officiated by the Forest Lake Bible Church. The Rev. Jimmy Little will officiate. Burial will be at the family cemetery, according to the Navajo Nation president's office.

President Joe Shirley expressed his condolences to the family of Begay Wednesday.

"It is with greater sadness that we bid farewell to our honored Code Talkers," Shirley said.

Shirley said that as a young man, Begay answered the call of the country, joined the Marines and left his home to defend the United States at great personal risk.

Begay was born March 21, 1921, in Forest Lake, AZ into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Yucca Fruit People Clan. He attended Keams Canyon Boarding School and Fort Wingate High School up to 11th grade.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Aug. 10, 1944, in Santa Fe and was discharged on July 5, 1946. He served with the 3rd Marine Division.

Begay went to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for special military qualification and training to be a Code Talker.

Begay received a Congressional Silver Medal in recognition of his service in 2001.

Begay went to school up to the 11th grade. He was a retired manager from the Piñon Trading Post in 1984 and was discharged from the Marines in 1946. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Begay is survived by wife Alice Natonie Begay and children Irene Nez, Darlene Chee, Nelson K. Begay, Dennison K. Begay, Kristy Kescoli Begay, brother Ned Kescoli, sister Maxine Kescoli, Mae Pulino, Mary Gilmore, Julia Russell, Alice Jane Begay, Irene Crank and Mary Ann Sherlock eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Burial: Navajo Family Burial Grounds Forrest Cochise County Arizona, USA

Created by: Andrena's Daughter Record added: Jun 03, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 37865614

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