William Mix

William Michael Denny Mix, 31, of Great Falls, a proud Native American and U. S. Navy veteran, took his own life on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 in Great Falls.A funeral service will be held in De Smet, Idaho. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in De Smet, Idaho. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.William Michael Denny Mix was born on May 7, 1981 in Spokane, WA to William Judd Mix and Melody Marie (Denny) Mix.He served honorably in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Reserves in which he was actively deployed. Further, for two years, he devoutly served as a Mormon Missionary. Finally, he gained employment as a high-risk security officer working at a homeless facility in Salt Lake City where he sustained physical injuries on numerous occasions; however, his sense of duty to his job compelled him to persist. After struggling with depression and PTSD for several years as a result of his military service, William decided to take his own life.In December, 2008, he received a Citizen of the Month award from the Salt Lake City Police Department for disarming a man with a knife, who was assaulting another person (someone who William did not know), and restraining the man until police arrived.William was an avid reader and loved the outdoors including hunting and fishing. He dreamed of obtaining a career in herbal medicine. He was also artistically creative and made beautiful jewelry and other Native artifacts.He was a sensitive soul generous to a fault. Although he was here only a short time, he left a life-long impression on those he met. He will be deeply missed, but always remembered and loved.William is survived by his brothers, Andrew Mix and Mathew Denny both of California;his aunts Juanita Lachasse of California, Sheila Denny, Eunice Berger, Doreen Anderson, Bonnie Anderson all of Great Falls and Tiny Rognstad of Bemidji, MN; cousin Brendia King of Great Falls; uncle Alex Denny of Rocky Boy; as well as numerous extended family members.He is preceded in death by both of his parents; his great-grandfather, Walter Alex Denny; great-grandmother Nellie Peeper Anderson; maternal grandparents, Matthew Denny and Audrey Denny; paternal grandparents Todd Mix and Mary Vaughan Mix. In addition, he was the great-grandson of the late oldies western actor, Tom Mix.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Williams name to Disabled American Veterans, 600 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT 59401.