Obituary
WILBUR CHARLES DUPRIS
Eyokasin “Peeks At”
Wilbur Dupris, 41, of Eagle Butte began his journey to the Wicahpi Oyate on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Monument Health, Rapid City, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Monday, July 3, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Episcopal Cemetery, Iron Lightning. An all-night wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the church, with a procession from the 4-Mile at 4:00 p.m. and all horseback riders are welcome.
On July 8, 1981, Susan Widow and Darrell Dupris welcomed their second son and named him Wilbur Charles to carry on the names of his Lalas Wilbur Dupris and Charles In Amongst. He was welcomed by large tiospayes on all sides of his family and spent time with many of them throughout the years.
As a boy, Weebz ran around the West End with his brother, Dean, and all of his kolas. They spent their days riding horses always with a rope in their hands, swimming in the creeks, helping their Grandmas, and just enjoying the country life with many relatives and neighbors. Wilbur was a singer who was known for a wicked akisa at the drum, but his singing career began in his childhood at Grandma Louise and Lala Steve’s basements where he, Dean, Chris, and Bli would use a box for a drum and sing the same crow hop jam over and over. Recently, he was teaching his nephews to sing at Auntie Shirley’s and the boys were proud to tell their Grandma “Uncle Wilbee is an Indian! He taught me how to holler (akisa)!”
Wilbur went to Headstart-3rd grade in Red Scaffold and continued his education at Takini graduating in 1999. He enjoyed his high school years going to class with so many of his relatives, playing basketball, and being part of the Takini Singers. After graduating, he worked various jobs as a wildland firefighter and would help different construction crews throughout the state.
In 2003, Wilbur and Stacy Spotted Bear welcomed their daughter, Hailey, and sadly lost their infant son, Tristan Kyle, in 2006. Hailey enjoyed her Dad’s company when he would come to check on her and loved when they lived in Yankton because they always went swimming.
Wilbur and Tyhease Rising Sun welcomed their children;, Ryleigh, Kalby, Chandler, and Margaret. Wilbur spent time with them and their relatives in Montana where he enjoyed going fishing, hunting, and gathering wood for the elders. Margaret was younger when Wilbur lived in Montana, but Chan the Man said he loved it when his Dad stayed with them. Kalby loves the Red Sox because of her Dad and that he always helped her to adopt stray kitties. Ryleigh loved his phone calls and goofy jokes that didn’t even make sense but always made them laugh.
On April 28, 2023, Wilbur became a Lala when his takoja, Ky’lynn Luna, was born and he was very thankful that he got to meet her before he passed on. He loved his children very much and talked about them a lot.
Wilbee enjoyed cheering on the Red Sox, Suns, and Raiders; spending time with his brother even if Dean made him work fixing fences and checking cattle; caring for his nephews as they always made time to check on their uncle.
Wilbur started having health problems in the beginning of 2023, so he went to out of town appointments, and he always liked to have J. Shepherd as his driver when he used the hospital van. We are grateful to all the staff that helped him during his illness, relatives who came to pray with him while he was hospitalized, and all of the calls, texts, and prayers Wilbur received from afar – we will never be able to repay you but know that his family will always remember you in prayer.
Wilbur, Weebz, or Wilbee no matter what you called him, what you could count on was a quiet, gentle soul who would listen, observe, and smile as others visited until he felt comfortable enough to open up, then he could visit and tease with the best of them.
Wilbur is survived by his children: Hailey, Ryleigh, Kalby, Chandler, and Margaret; takoja, Kylynn; Mother, Susan Widow; Brother, Dean (Kristen) Dupris; his children: LaDonna, Shanyn, Blake, Kale, Tayvia, and Molly; aunties and uncles: Kathie Bowker, Helene Circle Eagle, Delmar and Beverly Clown, Valerie Curley, Shirley Dog Eagle, Ethan and Julie Dupris, Sylvan Ray Dupris, Zigmund Hollow Horn, Margie Loud Hawk, Wendy and Larry Mendoza, Marty Cat Thompson, Lisa and George Till, Lillian White Wolf, Doug Widow, and Elaine Widow; sisters: Alana, Chichy, Cree, Crissy Jo, Dardi, Dezi, Doreen, Eliese, Julie, Kim, Kracy, Missy, Mona, Rolynn, Tasina, Taspan, Viola, and Wani; Brothers: Brandon, Chris, Cody, Conroy, Delaine, Jr. Delmar, Efton, Huey, Jake, Kirk, Lester, Luther, Misun, Peter, Sash, Tyler and Waziya; nieces and nephews: Braylee, Cashlynn, Charlie, Cinch’em, Isaiah, Jess, Justen, Keagan, Kinslee, Paisley, Ran’Dunn, Rusty, Storme, Stuart Jr., Sylven, Truman, Tuff, Ty’Leigha, and Xavier.
Waiting for Wilbur back home are his son, Tristan; Dad; Grandma Louise (Lone Eagle) and Lala Doug Widow; Grandparents: Edith (Iron Bird) and Wilbur Dupris, Grandma Mona (Red Bird) Red Horse, Lala Ted Knife, Sr.; uncles: Danny Curley, Chuck Dog Eagle, Aldred Dupris, and Sullivan White Wolf; aunties: Aurelia Dupris and Peggy Knife; Sisters: Mary Knife and Denise Red Horse; Brothers: Buca Blue Thunder, Randon Clown, and Koko Curley; niece, Jarryn Agneaux; and his kola, Wanbli Charging Eagle.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Wilbur’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)
