'King of the Woods' dies at 85

Funeral services held for Dan Willier

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DRIFTPILE - Most of the population of Driftpile gathered at the Roman Catholic Church on this frosty winter morning to say farewell to one of the patriarches of the community.

Daniel Willier died in High Prairie hospital on Sunday, January 27, 1987.

Mourners travelled from British Columbia and Edmonton to pay respects to the Native naturalist known as "King of the Woods"...Big Dan Willier.

Close to 200 people packed the tiny church. Many more remained outside in their vehicles. The congregation remained stoic throughout the moving service conducted in both English and Cree by the Reverend E. Fillion, but tears ran freely as those inside the church filed past the open casket for one last good-bye.

Interment followed at the Driftpile Cemetery. A lonesome chant accompanied by

a single drum echoed in the winter frostiness as the casket was lowered into the ground.

Pallbearers were Eugene Laboucan, Roger Collins, Daniel Collins, Denis Andrews, Elmer Belcourt, and Ned Willier. Honourary Pallbearers were Scott Willier, George Okimaw, Louis Willier, Joe Willier, Harvey Giroux and Marcel Giroux.

Following the graveside service, friends and family gathered at the Community Centre for refreshments and shared fond memories of a man who will be sadly missed.

Big Dan Willier was born August 12, 1901, on the Sucker Creek Reserve. He spent his lifetime with the forest. As his health failed over the past year, he said "when I can no longer be in the woods, I won't stay around long."

Al Oeming, renowned naturalist and owner of Polar Park, talked with reverence

of Willier's accomplishment through their 40-year friendship. "I remember Big Dan, Emil and Victor Willier packed those bear cubs for 50 miles out of the hills (Swan Hills). It was 23 years ago. Big Dan (the male grizzly named after Dan Willier) is still going strong, as is one of his sisters; the other bear died a couple of years ago," said Oeming. He went on to say, "They don't make men like Big Dan any more. He had a wonderful philosophy of life. This is the end of a legend."

In the setting sun of the late afternoon, only the mound of earth covered with floral wreaths marked the last resting place of Big Dan Willier but the drum still echoed in the wind. His story will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the honour of knowing "the King of the Woods."