Willhemina Howard

Willhemina Howard, 59, was born in Toppenish, Washington to Lawrence (Waximat) and Ruth (Misiitwi) Howard/ Charley on September 29, 1962. Willhemina is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation where she resided most of her life. On December 15, 2021, she started her final journey. As a daughter, she enjoyed helping her mother with the class at the Yakama Nation Headstart and yardsale around the community. Willhemina was the baby of her siblings and had a rough road but never gave up. As a mother, she enjoyed farm life training horses to dance with her husband and children. As a grandmother, she enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in their accomplishments. This last year she took pride in finding bright orange to support her grandson in his senior year for Davis Pirates. Willhemina's passion most of her life was weaving wapaas's. She received her General Education Diploma from Washington State University. She had a few jobs in her life and one she discussed was working for the Washington state fair. She loved her 80’s music. Willhemina was survived by her family and friends; her loving brothers and sisters: Dennis Arthur Howard, Darrell Wayne Howard, and Mariana Lee Cree. Also by her children: Rachel Bettles, Raymond Bettles, Natasha Bettles, Tashina Bettles, Skylar Howard, Jessica Sermeno, Lucas Sermeno, Shane Sermeno, and her companion Rickie Smith. Grandchildren: Jeremiah Cloud-Bettles, Josiah Bettles, Augustine Bettles, Angel Villegas, Barett Bettles Jr., Andrew Villegas, Gabriela Bettles, Raven Bettles, Tru Sermeno, West Sermeno, and Noah Sermeno. Willhemina was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Ruth (Charley) Howard; Her siblings Chester Howard, Kathleen Washington, and Gary Unitus Howard; Her paternal grandparents Roy Howard and Daisy Tahkeal; Her maternal grandparents Thompson Charley and Edna Weahlealacooler. Her child Barett Bettles and late husband James Bettles. Her final steps to her journey will start Thursday, December 16, 2021, with the dressing service at White Swan Community Center White Swan, WA starting at 10:00 AM. Following the dressing service overnight services will start at 7:00 pm. Services will conclude the morning of December 17, 2021, with a final service before departure at 7:00 am for burial at Toppenish Creek Cemetery in White Swan, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willhemina Howard, please visit our flower store.