- Date Of Birth: March 18, 1969
- Date Of Death: June 14, 2012
- State: Montana
CHARLO – Wilfred Lee Colon, 43, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012, from a heart attack while out thinning trees. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, he was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on March 18, 1969. Upon returning to the Flathead Indian Reservation in the early ’80s he grew up in the Ronan/Pablo area.
Willie worked in the woods all of his life – he cut posts and poles, firewood and most notably was a thinner/slasher for the CSKT Forest Development Program at the time of his death. Willie also worked as a Montana Indian firefighter and worked for Big Sky Catering.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Sharon Bird Felsman-Turczynski and Dennis Felsman.
He is survived by his wife of five years, Julie McDonald Colon. He loved his wife “infinities.” Children and stepchildren include Byron Colon, Sonia Flammond, Letitia Colon, Galen Hawk, Mary Hawk and Katrina Michael. Also Jamie, JR and Mikaela Flammond. Grandchildren who loved “Papa Willie,” are Ayden Trahan, Tynneal Flammond, Daylin and Tredan Jude Johnson, MJ, Sean and Jason Trahan; sisters, Rhonda (Matt Mahkuk), Shirley Felsman, Sheri (Duane Morrell Jr.) Felsman, Shelly Felsman and Sheila (Nathan Ross) Felsman; aunts, Darlene Bird and Mary Ann Bird; uncle, Charlie Bird; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A wake began Monday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with the Rosary being recited Tuesday at 8 p.m.
