William Delos "Bill" Tall Bear, Sr., of El Reno, Oklahoma, was born on January 27, 1935 to Christine Tall Bear in Hammon, Oklahoma and passed away September 1, 2020 in Yukon, Oklahoma at the age of 85 years, 7 months and 4 days.

Bill was raised in Hammon, Oklahoma. He attended Concho Boarding School until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1952. In the Marines, he served in the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan, California, and Hawaii during his military career before he was honorably discharged in November 1959. He moved back to Oklahoma, and married Minnie "Lucille" Drunkard. They had one daughter, Ramona, before moving to San Francisco, California. While in California, they welcomed a son, Bill, Jr., before moving back to Oklahoma where they made their home at Deer Creek. They went on to have 3 more children: Christopher, LaDonna, and Ralph. Lucille passed away in 1984. Bill later married Evelyn Chimburas in 1996 where they resided in Whiterocks, Utah until 2003. They bought a home in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Bill was a master welder and was a founding member of Oklahoma Indian Nation Gourd Clan and Buddy Bond Color Guard. He enjoyed going to powwows, gourd dancing, and going to the casino. He was an excellent beadworker and created many one-of-a-kind pieces. Bill would say his biggest accomplishment, though, was his large family. He enjoyed having get-togethers for every occasion and holiday. He was a family-centered man who will be greatly missed by both friends and family.

Bill is survived by his 5 children and their spouses: Ramona of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bill, Jr. and Kathleen of Thomas, Oklahoma, Chris and Donna of Norman, Oklahoma, LaDonna of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Ralph and Tisha of Deer Creek, Oklahoma; fifteen grandchildren: Rachael, Janet, Robert, Daniel, Cody, Teisha, Cera, Kaya, Chris, Pavenah, Minnie, Kitty, Walk Up, WinterSky, and Trevor. He was a great-grandfather to nineteen children.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Christine, two sisters, Lesa and Florence, and a brother, Fredrick, grandparents Walk Up and Florence (Black Wolf) Tall Bear, great-grandfather Black Wolf, and wives Minnie "Lucille" and Evelyn.