February 25, 1989 – Sunday, August 29, 2010
Service Information
The Community Center, Old Agency Village
Friday, September 3, 2010
2:00 P.M.
Visitation Information
BillyRay DuMarce, age 21, of Sisseton, SD Journeyed to the Spirit World on August 29, 2010. He was born in Sisseton, SD on February 25, 1989 the son of Keith and Anita (Wilson) DuMarce.
BillyRay loved being with his nieces and nephews. He was a terrific uncle and son! He was fond of riding horses and was a rodeo bull rider. BillyRay enjoyed music, singing, and listening to pow-wow songs. He was a real “people person”!
Survived by his mother Anita DuMarce, his father Keith DuMarce, brothers: Wayne and Dillon DuMarce. Sisters: Juanita DuMarce, Darlena Jones, Cali and Terri DuMarce; grandmothers: Connie DeMarrias and Lillian Wilson; four aunts; five uncles; special friend: Elissa Adams; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by infant twins in 2008, grandparents: Darlene and Baine Wilson and by his grandfather: Floyd DeMarrias.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M on Friday, September 3, 2010 at The Community Center in Old Agency Village, SD.
Interment will be at Goodwill Presbyterian Cemetery, Old Agency Village, SD.
All night wakes will be held at the Community Center on Wednesday, September 1st and Thursday, September 2 beginning at 7:00 P.M.
The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, MN served the family.
I will miss you. I loved the way you brightened the school with your playful personality.
I love and miss you sooooooooooooo much…
I didn’t know him but I send you my condolences. Peace be with you as you read this.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
RIP, Mean Mugg. Gone, but not forgotten. Gonna miss see’n ya around.
There are not words to express the sadness of this; neither are there words to express your pain. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
There are no words to express our sorrow for your loss. We knew your son through the Dakota 38 + 2 Wokiksuye Ride. He was awesome!
My condolences to the Dad, Keith.
I love and miss you so very much. Can’t wait to see you again!!!!!!!!!
My heart goes out to you for losing BillyRay from this life. His presence and words in the film ‘Dakota 38’ touched me deeply. I was shocked to see that he died so soon after that, so I searched for information and found this way to communicate with you. I am an illegitimate daughter of a man whose parents came from Norway and lived in Leland, North Dakota at the turn of the century. Since I learned North American history and listened to the songs of Buffy Ste. Marie I have felt I am here on this continent by the grace of your people. I am a renter and my son does not want to own land because he doesn’t believe in anyone ‘owning’ land. My prayers and intentions are for peace, respect and loving-kindness to be shared by all of us. With infinite love and gratitude,
Sylvia Button
I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t know BillyRay but just got done watching the Dakota 38+2 video and his face, the sadness in his eyes, was heartwrenching. May he rest in peace and ride always.
I didn’t know him but as I watched the Dakota 38+2 and his words were real and they reached out to our younger youth on our reservation. I don’t know how he passed away, but may God be with his family and friends. I know how it feels and each day I live is just one day closer to seeing my loved ones again.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
So sad to hear he died. Just got done watching him in the movie documentary Dakota 38.
There’s no words, simply: He’s in bliss, peace and
In love beyond understanding. Bless.
I have just watched the Dakota 38 and was moved deeply by the statements made by BillyRay. I was then shocked to read of his passing. I am sorry for your loss. I feel that he shall now live for ever in the history of his peoples struggle. Wishing all the Dakota people great strength and guidance from above in all they do. Lots of love from Scotland
I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. My family was helped thru a difficult time by anonymous donors giving forward. I hope you may benefit from love and kindness. giveforward.com
Billy, as I watched 38+2 I was touched over and over by your love for our people and especially the 38+2 who journeyed to the Spirit World in such a horrific manner. I wanted to tell you thank you for touching my life and making such an impact on me with your candor and your Love for our culture. It is my humble prayer that your family will be amazingly blessed for everything you represented in the movie….it was all good. I love you lil Brother….Rest in Peace….
I, too, was shocked to see that you had crossed over. In the beginning of Dakota 38 I could see the sadness in your eyes but by the end you were happy to take your new feelings home with you. You will always be fondly remembered.
Just watched Dakota 38+2.
All my warmest greetings to the Dakota people and condolences to Billy Ray and the family. Much love from Nepal.
I too just finished watching Dakota 38. I was so moved by watching BillyRay wrestle so honestly with his emotions of fear and anger.
What a loss for his family and friends and the world.
I will be teaching this film in a senior English elective in a NYC private school. I know this will affect my students very much.
I also just watched the film Dakota 38. I identify as a Black woman and the film touched me deeply. My birthday is December 26th, and now has a whole new meaning for celebrating. It DEEPLY hurts to continually feel and witness the rooted generational trauma and racism that Natives have endured as well as my own African ancestors! I was touched by BillyRay’s truth and fearless stand throughout the film. The spirits definitely had a plan and a purpose for him! As a healer and circle keeper myself, I am now committed to learn more about Dakota 38+2, and plan to visit Mankato for my birthday this year to commemorate this piece of history that has transformed my inner being! Blessings to all in this film who allowed the ancestors to guide you on this journey. Blessings to those whom we have lost, and to those whom we have birthed. Blessings BillyRay for being your authentic self! Much love and light to the family!
“I’m going to take that back home with me” I’m sorry for your loss, I never knew about the Dakota 38+2 until today when a friend of mine told me about it and to watch the docu. I’m Ojibwe and from red lake, MN ..as I listened to him I saw the male version of me, same age same mentality look at the non natives the same but still getting past that and see the great in anyone does…long live Billy Ray