William Wallace Christie

TAHLEQUAH -- Graveside funeral services for William Christie, 90, of Tahlequah, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2003, in the Freewater Cemetery in Adair County. Interment has been entrusted to Green Country Funeral Home of Tahlequah.

William Christie was born Jan. 1, 1913, at Wauhillau, Adair County, the son of Goback and Susie Ann (Thornton) Christie.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his 10 brothers and sisters.

Wallace, as he was known, died April 7, 2003, in Tahlequah.

Following graduation from Chilloco Indian School, Wallace worked as a mechanic and farmer for many years. He shared a home at Wauhillau with his brother, Amos Christie, until Amos died in 1991. Amos lived in the east end of the home, while Wallace lived in the west end. The home was built around 1885.

Wallace, born into a traditional Cherokee family, was a Nighthawk Keetoowah. He never left those convictions and was outspoken about them all his life. He was at one time the secretary of the Four Mother's Society under Chief Tom Christie. He attended the Flint Stomp Grounds until his health prevented it. He was a respected elder of the grounds and always gave his opinion and advice.

Wallace was of the Da-la-si-ni family, the early Christie family, which arrived over the Trail of Tears in the winter of 1839 to settle in the

location where Wallace was born, raised and lived most of his life. His paternal grandfather was Watt, Wa-de Wa-ki-gu, a prominent Cherokee who served the Cherokees as a senator. He was the great-grandson of Lacy, Wa-ki-gu Da-la-si-ni, and Betsy Christie. His maternal grandparents were Amos and Rachel (Boards) Thornton.

Wallace was honored to be of indigenous American ancestry, the Ani-Wiya. His convictions and life were a demonstration of all the honor and dignity his family and people had and have in their history. He often defended their honor, particularly his uncle, Ned Christie.

Wallace was the last living, closest nephew of the Cherokee legend, hero, warrior and patriot

Ned Christie.

He helped Roy Hamilton, a cousin, write his version of the Ned Christie biography.

Wallace was particularly close to his niece, Vera Mae Christie Craig and his nephew, Leroy Christie, both of Wauhillau.

He is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Culturally, Wallace was the Cherokee

Uncle to hundreds throughout the Indian nations.

Green Country Funeral Home, 203 S. Commercial Road, 458-5055.