Bernice Watan, 89, of Riverton, Wyoming passed away at Help for Health Hospice Home on Saturday, March 16, 2024. A Vigil with a rosary will be recited at Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. A Wake will follow at Bernice’s home, 4055 Sandy Drive, Riverton, Wyoming. The funeral mass will be held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church on Friday, March 22, 2023, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Arapaho Catholic Cemetery.
Arlene Bernice Shakespeare was born on September 3, 1934 in Fort Washakie, Wyoming to John and Nellie (Friday) Shakespeare. She grew up on the Wind River Reservation and was a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. She lived in Colony Oklahoma from 1964 to 1973, then made her way home to Wyoming.
Bernice strongly believed in her Northern Arapaho culture and traditions.
When Bernice was eighteen years old, she started working in order to help support her family after her father passed away. She enjoyed her employment at the Arapahoe School the most, retiring in 1995. She then became a Foster Grandparent until 2019.
She is survived by her daughters, Moneta Duran and Monica Watan; sisters, Jessie Spoonhunter and Alene Shakespeare; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Ted” Watan; parents, John and Nellie Shakespeare; sisters, Amelia Underwood and Lettie Spoonhunter; and brothers, Leroy Shakespeare and O’Dell Shakespeare; grandson, Daniel WhiteBird.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.