Family, friends and fellow U.S. Marines attended the funeral service for Sam Billison, one of the most prominent Navajo Code Talkers.

Billison was remembered for his dedication to education. He was the first Navajo to graduate from the University of Arizona with a doctorate in school administration. He served as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

Billison was president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association and was often the public face of the Navajo soldiers who fought in World War II. He received a Congressional silver medal for his efforts.

Billison died on November 17. He was around 78 or 79.

Get the Story:
Billison is laid to rest (The Gallup Independent 11/22)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Code Talkers - http://www.navajocodetalkers.org
Sen. Jeff Bingaman's Code Talkers' Site - http://bingaman.senate.gov/code_talkers
Harrison Lapahie Jr's Code Talkers' Site - http://www.lapahie.com/NavajoCodeTalker.html

Related Stories:
Sam Billison, Navajo Code Talker, passes on (11/18)
Code Talker statue unveiled at Navajo Nation Fair (09/09)
Navajo Code Talker recounts experience in WWII (03/03)
Professor dispels myths about Indian Code Talkers (01/22)
Navajo Code Talker discusses role in war (11/19)
Navajo Code Talker mistaken for Japanese twice (11/13)
Navajo Code Talkers to get Congressional medals (11/11)
Code Talkers to discuss experiences at event (7/18)
Code Talkers monument set for Ariz. capitol (04/25)
Bill signed for Code Talkers monument in Ariz. (4/22)
'Let's keep those damn Indians' (11/08)
Navajo Code Talkers frank about movie (08/23)
Code Talker inspires athlete grandson (08/12)
Opinion: Not just Navajo code talkers (07/26)
Opinion: Windtalkers ignored true story (7/1)
Weak opening for Code Talker movie (6/17)
Windtalkers movie opens nationwide (6/14)
Comanche man was Code Talker too (6/13)
Code Talker movie set for debuts (6/12)
Code Talkers movie premieres (6/5)
Code Talker movie features first-timer (5/13)
Code Talkers receive special medal (5/2)
Code Talkers upset with Begaye (3/25)
Code Talker gets his medal (3/11)
Code Talker day set (3/8)
Navajo Code Talker gets own day (3/4)
Code Talker to get his medal (2/26)
Paper blasts Navajo Nation (2/22)
Code Talker still doesn't have medal (2/19)
Navajo man confirmed as Code Talker (2/11)
Navajo man recognized as Code Talker (2/7)
Code Talkers on display in Ariz. (1/18)
Ceremony honors Code Talkers (12/10)
Navajo Code Talkers given awards (11/26)
Code Talkers honored at S.D. powwow (10/15)
Code Talker movie delayed (10/2)
Code Talker ceremony postponed (10/1)
N.M. honors Code Talker (9/13)
Code Talkers honored for contributions (7/27)
'Windtalkers' splashes onto DC scene (7/27)
In The Hoop: Navajo Code Talker Pics (7/27)
Bush to honor Code Talkers (7/23)