William "Billy" Cabinaw, Died July 3, 2018

William “Billy” Cabinaw

Died July 3, 2018

William “Billy” Cabinaw, 63, of Peshawbestown, went to meet his ancestors on July 3, 2018 at the Medilodge of Grand Traverse County.

Billy was born on a cold, but nice Thursday, February 24, 1955, in Petoskey, the son of Mary (Sineway) Cabinaw.

As the nursery rhyme says, “Thursday’s child has far to go”, and Billy did. After graduating from Mancelona High School in ’73, he served with distinction in the US Navy as a S.E.A.L., then onto the oil well drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, but his heart was always in Northern Michigan.

The great outdoors was his favorite place to be, and while enjoyed hunting and fishing, his interests were far more varied. As a skilled orator, he always spoke his mind and was multilingual – fluent in both sarcasm and bs. He was also an accomplished guitarist and artist.

Billy was a proud member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. He spent many hours traveling and enjoying the company of his fellow tribal members and Elders.

Billy would want all of his family and friends not to weep, but to be honest and share his stories and to experience life to the fullest as he did.

Billy is survived by his brother, Joseph L. (Gloria) Cabinaw; his sister, Rosemary (Sissypoo) Knapp; his half-sisters, Linda Gasco, Patti Gasco-Predville, Dee Gasco; his stunningly beautiful companion, Jann Lindley, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Awaiting his arrival are his sweet and gracious grandmother, Louise Sineway, his beautiful mother, Mary Sineway, and his great-big-bear of a brother, Henry Sineway.

Cremation has taken place; a memorial luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 at the Elders Complex in Peshawbestown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.

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