Here's a brief biographical sketch that I wrote in Dad's honor. He is being honored with a memorial leadership scholarship by the Arctic Education Foundation, along with David Bodfish Sr. and Florence Ahmaogak.
Dale, I've never said thank you until now for posting this. You have no idea how nice it is to know that it's 'out there.' Anyhow, here goes:
Billy Blair Patkotak, Sr.
Biographical Information: Born April 25, 1925, at Anderson Point, Alaska, west of Kaktovik along the coast. Parents were Paul and Ethel Patkotak; he was from the Utuqqaq River area and she was from the Inuvik area of Canada. Billy, his older siblings Olive and Stephen, and younger siblings Mary, Elizabeth and Simeon, traveled with their parents westward along the coast. In Barrow, Billy became fast and lifelong friends with such folks as the late Edward and Eben Hopson, and Nathaniel Olemaun, but he also maintained an enduring closeness to family members who remained in the Kaktovik areathe Akootchook, Agiak, Soplu, Ekosik and Tiglook families.
Billy's parents settled the family in Wainwright. He first entered elementary school at age 13. He quickly advanced, and made sufficient progress that he left Wainwright with other students who were identified as ideal candidates to attend White Mountain school, outside of Nome. From there, he went for further schooling in Eklutna and Wrangell Institute.
After being graduated from high school, Billy sought further education in Seattle. All told, he was gone from his village and family for seven years. Upon his return to Wainwright, Billy became one of the very first Inupiaq teachers on the North Slope; other Native teachers included Maggie Gray, his wife's cousin. Village leaders and former students remember him as being demanding, and insistent that they do their bestand remain always proud of their heritage. His pride in being Inupiaq lasted all of his days, and he reared his children to be bilingual and articulate in both Inupiaq and English.
Billy married Amy Bodfish in 1950. He obtained work with, among others, the (then) United States Coastal Geodetic Survey, Felec Services, and ITTbeginning with the company which built the Distant Early Warning Systemand settled into working at Liz III as he and Amy reared their family. Their surviving children include George, Ethel, Hugh Sr., Julie, Howard, Iola, Blair Jr., and Steven.
During his life in Wainwright, Billy was politically active in local city government. He served a number of terms on the city council, trading off mayorships with other leaders like David Bodfish, Sr., Raymond Aguvluk, Sr., and Dempsey Bodfish, among others. He would counsel village members in his home, and mediate disputes so his children became accustomed to having their living room turned into an impromptu chamber. Well-known for his integrity, he was insistent that all parties do right' toward each other.
This integrity, ingrained by his father, continued to be developed as Billy became a Christian and also grew to be a leader and deacon in the Glad Tidings Assembly of God church. He never waivered in his belief in God, and talked to any number of people no matter the circumstance or location. A talented piano and organ player, he played music at church services; at home, he entertained with his harmonica, portable pianos, and always had a guitar ready.
Billy demonstrated a remarkable dedication to his goal of encouraging young Inupiat to take advantage of every educational opportunity that was available to them. Many young people received such encouragement. To his children, he often voiced his envy that so many opportunities and assistance were available to students graduating high school, because in his youth the pursuit of education beyond that level had been so difficult and financially demanding. Realizing full well the sacrifice in time and dedication that it took to achieve goals, he supported his children's efforts whether financially or emotionally. He was proud of anyone who gave the effort his or her best, and always emphasized that education is a lifelong endeavour. He did not stint in letting a person know how proud he was of their efforts and their achievements.
His children are living examples of people who earned degrees and certifications regardless of age. They sacrificed time and finances to become a certified welder, power plant operator, lawyer, network administrators and network security specialist, jet and helicopter pilot, light duty mechanic, and Coast Guard certified stuff.' They truly had a fine model.
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