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Born in Hominy, Okla., Aug. 27, 1939 to William Fletcher and Myrtle Barker Fletcher.
Attended the Hominy public school district during his grade school years and went to Catholic Boarding School at Cascia Hall in Tulsa to graduate high school. He attended Regis University in Denver, Colo., for a short period and then attended Benedictine Heights College in Tulsa.
He worked at a department store for a short time.
Maternal grandparents were Samuel Barker and Kate Black Dog Barker. His paternal grandparents were William Fletcher and Mamie Fletcher. His great-grandfather was Goodvoice who was the last Osage Town Crier for Grayhorse. His maternal great-grandfather was Black Dog, the last hereditary Chief for the Osage Nation.
-Grandmother Kate Barker was the first Catholic in his Native family, and he credits her for being a devout Native American Catholic for him to follow.
Member of the Hominy St. Joseph Catholic Church (until ill-health, he served as Church Treasurer)
Strong supporter of Higher Academic Education
Occasionally acted as consultant of Osage Language & Interests (including for the Pawhuska Dance Maker Academy on the production of "Wahzhazhe" Osage Ballet)
Traveled on behalf of his family as a representative & speaker on specific tribal affairs
Served on the Osage Tribal Museum's Traditional Cultural Advisors (TCA)
Strong advocate for the protection of the Osage mineral estate and trust.
Most notable accomplishment was his involvement in a landmark case, Fletcher v. United States, whereby he was one of the plaintiffs in a legislation for the accounting of Osage shares to individual Osages. Followed by a secondary case started by the full blood Osages for the protection of the Osage mineral estate and the return of shares to the Osages.
Osage Name: Tho-K'eh Kihekah
Clan: Buffalo Clan
Name given by: Elder Mashunkashey
Direct descendant of Osage Chief Black Dog
District: Hominy Zon-Zo-Li, Drumkeeper from the ages of 12-16
Served on: Hominy Ilonska War Dance Committee (Advisor many years)
William is survived by brother Michael (Adell) Hopper, Sister Irene Hopper, other siblings Anna Fletcher, Frederick Fletcher, Paul Fletcher, Martha Fletcher; brother in law Leroy Dennis, Nieces and nephews Jennifer Michelle Hopper, Michael S. Hopper, Jonathan Dennis, Mariam (Eric) Mason, Jalen Whitehorn, Jianna Jones, Cathy Ann Dennis, Katelyn Mason, Garrett (Zoey) Mason and numerous other nieces and nephews.
William is preceded in death by his parents William and Myrtle Fletcher. siblings Mary Catherine Dennis, Edward Fletcher, Mary Louise Fletcher-Barrett.
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