Vernon “Doonie” Birdsbill Sr., 84, died Jan. 5, 2026, in Wolf Point.
He leaves behind legacy, love and faith. He was born in Elbow Woods, N.D., to Mabel Newman and Charlie Birdsbill. He was raised by Fanny Birdsbill Benson. He went to Pierre and Flandreau Boarding Schools in South Dakota. As a freshman, he became a track champion and earned top honors.
After high school, he helped his aunt with gardening, then on to the farm and ranch jobs. He left Twin Buttes at the age of 18 and came to Wolf Point for awhile before going to Washington, where he met the mother of his five children.
He later moved to Wolf Point where his Birdsbill family had roots and formed lasting bonds and friendships.
In 1990, he met Mary Clancy. His life took a profound turn when he and Mary became Christians. They married in 1991 and were together until her death in 2014. He found love again with Cindy Douglas and they spent eight years together. They loved to travel and had many trips where they shared their faith with everyone they met.
Saturdays were his haven where he spent fellowship with his Pastor Kenny and brothers in faith, cheering on professional fights and cooking delicious meals for all of them. Known for his humor, he left an indelible mark on everyone he met.
He worked at Fort Peck