Laura Mae Wing-Hill, 73, of Great Falls passed away on September 15, 2022, due to a stroke. She was surrounded by family.
To many, she was known as “Indian.” She was born on October 10, 1948, in Fort Belknap, MT to Mary Louise Talks Different and Joseph John Wing. She was well known for her generosity and independent strength that she held for all that came to her door. Indian attended grade school at Lodgepole and Mission Grade School in Hays, Montana. She also attended Flandreau Indian School. She was baptized at age 19.
In 1970, she moved from Fort Belknap to Great Falls where she met a friend for life, William McGillis. They became parents to Stephanie Rae. She later met Chris Hill whom she married in 2013. Indian worked at hotels as a housekeeper until 2011.
Indian always did the best she could to be a good daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had many interests involving antique cars. She attended car shows and stock car races. She would also attend any family function. She was passionate about her Indian songs, pow-wows, church, public galleries, her grandchildren, and her little dogs, Sadie and Clover.
Indian leaves behind three sisters, Margaret Strike, Carmen Jackson, and Sivanna Wing; brother, Ivan Wing, Sr. of the Fort Belknap reservation; daughter, Stephanie Rae McGillis of Billings; husband, Chris Hill; grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Wing; sisters, Roberta Wing and Avis Wing; brothers, William Bubby Talks Different, Alvin Talks Different, Ronald Wing, and Clarence Talks Different.
Indian will be forever missed but remembered for her generosity and kindness toward others.
Indian’s viewing will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at O'Connor Memorial Chapel with burial to follow at Highland.
