Ronald Yellowbird

This obituary is being placed on our website as a courtesy to the family.  Hood Mortuary is handling the services.  The Hullinger Mortuary does not have any part of the services.

Ronald "Wee Nuche" Yellowbird was born on March 15, 1954 to the late John S. Williams and the Late Wanda M. Accuttroop American Horse. Ronald passed away peacefully on March 2, 2025, at his residence that he shared with his wife Lynda and son Badger.

Ronald grew up on the Ute reservation in Fort Duchesne Utah. Surrounded by his Ute grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles and aunts, Ronald learned the Ute traditions, culture and language. When not in Utah, Ronald lived with his father, mother and twin brother Rodrick Williams on the family farm just down the road from Bayfield on Buck Highway. He worked alongside his father and sibling to produce a lifestyle that sustained them and the other children that were to come.

Ronald graduated from Bayfield High School and he excelled in music and arts. Ronald was one of a handful students that was selected to create the ‘Wolverine' portrait that hung in the old high school gymnasium. Ronald went on to attend Fort Lewis College and here the political science classes inspired him to be an advocate for the ‘little man.'

Through the years, Ronald became an inspirational figure in cultivating the arts in the Ignacio Community. Ronald was an artist of many mediums, he was a published author, a visual storyteller and a voice of resilience. His love for his family, his people, his culture, his communities and with guidance from traditional Ute Sun Dance Chiefs, Ronald participated in the annual Sun Dances that were held on the Ute Reservations. Ronald loved visiting over a cup of hot coffee or a brew of freshly steamed tea or a bowl of steaming soup.

Ronald will continue to be cherished by Lynda Yellowbird (wife), Badger Yellowbird (son), brothers Rodrick and Erick Williams; sisters Elizabeth, Marianne, Michelle and Susan Williams; uncle Armond Accuttoroop, aunt Helen Wash, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers – John Chad, Stanley, and Michael Williams; half-siblings Emily Taylor, Shirley GoodTracks and Glenn Williams.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hood Mortuary in Durango, Colorado. Cremation will follow the services.