Obituary

Wayne Gerard Ballew III, Nahkoxhoe’ehn’estse (Bear Comes Out in Northern Cheyenne), also known as Boinger and Brother Bear was born May 2, 1977 to Wayne Ballew Jr. and late mother Sophia (Woodenlegs) Ballew in Bellingham, WA. Born and raised in Lummi Territory. He still visited his Northern Cheyenne family and territory. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1996. 

He had a special place in his heart for his daughters, Sophie and Tanishia Ballew Bardsley-Taylor, nieces and nephews. Always ready to be a kid with the kids watching cartoons, playing Pokémon GO, and playing Kung Fu Panda.

Forever a goofy brother to his four brothers, sister and numerous cousins. Spending time with siblings at powwows, hand games, watching WWE, family movie nights, going to Haunted Houses, or just going to eat out and cracking jokes. We will miss hearing you “SSShhhiiii” when we got you good in our sibling roasts. 

Wayne worked for years at the Fisherman’s Cove launching our Lummi fishermen at the dock. He loved watching our fishermen go out and return home after each fishing season. His constant smile and jokes is something that our family and fishermen will dearly miss.

What we loved most about him was his bear-like qualities, his love for singing even with his speech challenges and not caring what others thought about it. His favorite drum group to listen to was Northern Cree. 

Is it ever enough…

When it’s time to move on.. 

It hurts to move but finally getting a good groove going, don’t stop.. 

Let it rain and thunder. It’s letting us know you are in good hands.. 

Tears that fall is tears of happiness knowing you are not in pain anymore..

Always look forward, we will be okay..

We have each other to hold us up..

Wayne Gerard Ballew III is survived by his parents: Dad, Wayne R. Ballew Jr., and Stepmother, Marie (Yazzie) Ballew;  daughters, Sophie Ballew Bardsley-Taylor, and Tanishia Ballew Bardsley-Taylor; Brothers: Randall Ballew (Jessica Ballew), Waylon Ballew (Jay Painter), Cheyene Ballew (Amanda Smith), and Andrew Ballew (Nancy Jefferson); Sister: Chastity (Ballew) Jeffries (Matthew Jeffries); Nieces: Tubria Ballew, and Amelinda “Amy” Ballew; Nephews: Chad (Priest II) Jeffries, Ashkii Ballew, and Dakota Ballew; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by: Mother, Sophia Mary (Woodenlegs) Ballew; Grandparents: Wayne J. Ballew Sr., Edith “Rena” (Lane) Ballew, Thomas Woodenlegs, and Freida Walkslast; Great Grandparents: Sadie Celestine (Lane) Jones, Alfred Lane, Matthew Jones, Casimir Ballew, Anna Solomon, May Littlewolf, James McLean, Alice Sweetmedicine, and Thomas Woodenlegs; Auntie: Charlene Ballew; Uncles, Levi Jefferson, Joel Woodenlegs, Ross Woodenlegs; Counsins: Levi Jefferson Jr, Chad B. Priest, Shawn Woodenlegs, Richard Solomon.