Josephine (Tess) Willie

Josephine Tascel “Tess” Wolfvoice Willie passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fairfax, OK.

Tess entered this world on February 14, 1950, in Pawnee, OK to the late Gloria Patricia Cox Tallchief and Dewey Wolfvoice. Her maternal grandparents were Gladys Tascel Cox and Joseph Cox.  Her paternal grandparents were Grover and Jenny Wolfvoice.

She was of Northern Cheyenne, Osage, and Pawnee descent.  She was of the Osage Eagle Clan, and her Osage name was Xhu Eh Doin, which means “Looking at the Eagle”.   Her Northern Cheyenne name was Red Cherries.

She graduated in 1968 from Fairfax High School.  She married the love of her life, Darvin Wayne “Wilson” Willie and they spent 22 happy years together until his until his passing in 2000.

Her mother, Patricia Cox Tallchief was a head cook for numerous years for the In-Lon-Schka dances. Tess followed in her mom’s footsteps by becoming well-known for her cooking, especially her meat pies.  She travelled all over the state of Oklahoma selling her pies.  Tess was also known for her contagious laugh.

Her favorite past times included spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids, hearing about their days and their sporting events. She also enjoyed playing bingo and pitch with her fellow Pah- Su-Lee Club members, attending the War Mothers Annual Grayhorse War Memorial Dance, where she was also an angel.   She was very proud that her brother Dolph Wolfvoice also had a song at the dance.

She had planned on reviving the family camp at Grayhorse and worked towards this goal the past few years of her life.  She liked trying to bring life back to the family camp.  Family and culture were both very near and dear to her heart.

She is survived by her two daughters, Patricia Americanhorse of Fairfax, OK and Jennifer Rosales of Fairfax, OK, one brother, Michael Huey Wolfvoice of Fairfax, OK, three granddaughters, Jennifer Moses of Fairfax, OK, Cheyela Ward of Pawhuska, OK, Janie Rosales of Fairfax, OK, three grandsons, Gary Americanhorse  of Pawhuska, OK, Stetson Americanhorse of Owasso, OK, and Coleman Americanhorse of Pawhuska, OK and great grandchildren J’La Underwood, William Underwood, Jaxon Moses, Jarvis Underwood, Gillian Eppinette,  and Mya McDaniel.  She is also survived by numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gloria Patricia Cox Tallchief and Dewey Wolfvoice, her husband Darvin Wayne “Wilson” Willie and her two brothers, Max Wolfvoice and Dolph Wolfvoice.

Tess will lie in state at the Grayhorse Chapel.  A Native American Singing will take place at 7:00 pm Sunday, March 13, 2022.

The funeral service will be at 9:00 am, Monday, March 14, 2022 at the Grayhorse Chapel.  Burial will be at the Grayhorse Cemetery.  A tradition meal will follow at the Grayhorse Community Building.

Pall bearers are Gary Americanhorse, Coleman Americanhorse, Stetson Americanhorse, Dakotah Wolfvoice, William Underwood, Anthony Davis, Cochese Noear, Cameron Cozad, and August Tiger Scalpcane.  Honorary pallbearers are Huey Wolfvoice, David Palmer, Marky Rosales, Talons Good, Matthew McDaniel, and Dorsey Tiger Jr.