William "Joey" Gutierrez

William Joe Gutierrez III, “Joey”, age 34, took his last ride to the other side of camp on July 15, 2026. His Crow name was “Prays to the Creator” (Akabaatattiakuush Chieakiish).

Joey was born on September 11, 1991, in Billings, Montana, to William and Geralyn Gutierrez. Joey was a member of the Ties the Bundle clan and child of the Big Lodge clan. He grew up in Pryor, Montana.  He moved to Billings for a short time with his parents.  He didn’t like living there, so he moved back to his grandparents Davis and Elsie's place up the road. When his parents moved back to Pryor, he rejoined them and lived in town. Joey attended elementary school at St. Charles Mission School. He attended Plenty Coups School, where he graduated from middle school and high school. He was talented and naturally athletic. He excelled in sports and was a natural athlete. Joey competed in cross country, basketball, track, and golf. All four years of high school, he ran varsity cross country and played on the varsity basketball team. When he was a freshman, he was proud to be on the Plenty Coups Warriors team that made it to State.  Joey enjoyed playing basketball with his bro’s. He loved school. But he mostly enjoyed talking with his teachers about anything and everything. He was known for asking questions about everything but the subject in the class. If he wasn't picking his teacher’s brain or playing basketball with his bros, he was riding a horse. Joey started riding horses when he was about 5 or 6. He was always the smallest one riding a full grown horse. His grandpa Chester and Dave saw his potential and showed him how to break horses.  From there, his love for horses soared. He entered youth rodeos, participating in the bareback and saddle bronc events. Joey won multiple youth rodeos. He always wanted the toughest and fastest horse to ride. He would ride various people's horses for free just to see how fast they were. 

He was a proud dad when Dontez, Pariz, and Levi were born.  He was committed to raising them and being there for them. Joey met Courtney at a crucial time in his life, and she stayed by his side during his difficult times. He would always say “the love of my life” when referring to her. They had an amazing friendship turned relationship. She helped him raise his children and instantly became a family, welcoming Faith in 2015, then Kron in 2025, making their family complete. They legally married in 2022.

He loved his family and spending time with them cruising the mountains, riding horses, and going to Indian Relays. 

Joey and his “baashii” Luke started their own Indian Relay team.  Along with Grandpa Dave, they chose “Mountain Crow Relay” as the name.  Grandpa Dave and the boys built their team and traveled throughout Indian Country. Through trial and error and patience, a bond was created with the horses: Stockport Blues, Denver Bucking Bronco, Sweet Sweet Kim, and Bittersweet.  He loved working out the horses with his baashii, uncle, and MCR team.  After practicing and competing, they started winning relay meets.  He was especially proud when they won the “World Champion Indian Relay” in Sheridan, Wyoming in 2019. He always said, “We’re putting Pryor on the map.” After the loss of his grandpa Dave and Chester, he put away the relay life. Joey focused on his babies and helping them with their sports and school.  His children inherited his natural athletic ability.  He enjoyed watching them compete in their sports, especially basketball. At their games, you would hear him coaching his kids on the sideline. At halftime, he was on the court showing them what they needed to do. He liked to play them one-on-one and would never let them win. He said they had to earn it. His children were his world and made him proud right down to his baby, Kron. He taught him to have a form when shooting the ball. He told Courtney, “That kid is going places. I’ve never seen a one-year-old do that.” 

Joey worked various jobs such as ranching, breaking horses, and carpentry.  His favorite job was carpentry, where his brother-in-law Wade helped him get on with his crew. He loved to complete a job site and see the finished buildings. He would drive his wife and kids to the job site to show them the houses, garages, and buildings he helped build. 

He is preceded in death by his Maternal Grandfathers: Davis Wounded Face and Don Littlelight. Maternal Grandmothers: Rose Turnsplenty, Marvela Stewart, and Sylvia Gone. Paternal Grandparents: Chester and Ethel Bird Hat, William Gutierrez. Uncles: Levi Littlelight and Melvin Bird Hat. His closest friends: Kevin Brush, Taylor Plain Bull, Khan Little Light, and Ferlin Blacksmith. 

Joey is survived by his wife, Courtney, and children Dontez, Pariz, Levi, Faith, Memphis and Kron Gutierrez. His parents: William and Geralyn Gutierrez. Grandmothers: Elsie WoundedFace, Bertha Gone, Lucy Gone, Theda Medicine Horse, Linda (Duwayne) Birdinground, and Rosella Shane.  Grandfather: Curtis (Honey Bun) Medicine Horse. Sisters: Kessa (Sean) Gutierrez, Anessa (Larry) Gutierrez, Kathryn Gutierrez, Aritha (Cody) Hogan, Maritha Gutierrez, Georgette (Anda) Bird Hat, Keisha, Irene, Marina, and Chloee Bird Hat. Courtney (Terrence) Dawes, Larissa (Luke) Rock, Alaynna (Micah) Williamson, Simone (Christian) Fighter, Ellie Rodricq. Brothers: Tyson, Antone, Kobe (Aaliyah) Gutierrez, Jordell Black Wolf, Cameron Rivera, Wade, Cody (Cara), Corey Old Crow. Uncle Carl Monroy. Aunts: Devona Rodricq, Pamela Bird Hat, Lana Gutierrez, Shelly (Darren) McDonald, Loretta (Dennis) Popetsaike, Patricia Smart Enemy. Nephews: Anxious and Arnold, Henry, Ethan, Dallas and Junior, Markos, Baby Luke, Avery, Lansing, Sonny. Nieces: Destiny (Denali), Ilea (Isaiah Jr.), Ivory, Amari. Amayah, Arynn, Arryanna, Maizi, Abigail, Crystalynn, SaFairalei, Ruth, Azariah, Bria, Isla, Velma “Cookie”, Riley, and Adrick, Calayah. Grandson Dakota. Godchildren: Crystalynn and Zyrell. 

Pallbearers: Antone, Kobe, Tyson Gutierrez, Jordell Black Wolf, Lando Stewart, Alton Smart Enemy, Cameron Rivera, Art Smells Jr., Luke Rock.

Honorary Pallbearers: Cody Old Crow, Owen Smells, Victor Bullshows, Christian Fighter, Lorenzo Lopez, Zack Rock, Cody Hogan, Micah Falls Down, Nehemiah He Does It, Melton Spotted Bear, Sylvester Sly Little Owl III.

Families include Little Light, Turnsplenty, Rides Horse, Gutierrez, Buffalo, Bird Hat. 

Please accept our apologies if we inadvertently failed to mention any of our extended families. 

Vigil will take place at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 20, from 3- 7 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Charles Mission on Tuesday, July 21, at 1 pm. His final resting place will be at the Bird Hat Family Cemetery.