Wacey Eldon Joel English

Wacey Eldon Joel English

Spaa’paa’soahsi – Soaring Eagle

December 19, 1989 – January 7, 2023

It is with profound sadness that the family of Wacey Eldon Joel English (Spaa’paa’soahsi) announce his peaceful passing at the age of 33, surrounded by his family at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital on January 7, 2023.

Wacey is lovingly remembered by his father, Eldon Iron Shirt, mother Ellen English, bothers Leland (Layne) English and Carter Iron Shirt; uncles Alfred Iron Shirt, Bob (Carol) Crow Eagle, Doug (Laura) Iron Shirt, Bobby (Marcy) English; adopted mom Joyce Mountain Horse. Cousins Jamie Lee (Tim), Soroya, Shanna, DJ English, Robin Badger and Raquel Healy; grandfather Allen Wells; grandmothers Louise English, Vera Crowshoe and Myrna (Phillip) Red Young Man; godparents Lowa Beebe and Bree Barrientos, and numerous close family and friends.

Wacey’s great-aunt’s Evelyn Kelman, Valarie Crowshoe, Betty Ann (Morris) Little Wolf, Audrey Little Mustache, Beverly (George) Four Horns; great-uncles Gerald Crowshoe, Reg (Rose) Crowshoe, Richard (Noreen) Plain Eagle, Douglas Plain Eagle, Stanford Plain Eagle and Calvin (Tammy) Plain Eagle.

Including his adopted brothers Marcus Healy, Jaron Weasel Bear, Troy Crow Shoe, Byron Jackson, Brian Plain Eagle, Cam Pard, Robert Cardinal, Jason One Spot, Rufus Pretty Young Man, Blaze Iron Shirt, Shae Iron Shirt, Jeremiah Peacemaker Alex Shade, Jay Wolfe, Kyle Plain Eagle and Terrance Plain Eagle; adopted sisters Jamie Lee (Tim) English, Raquel Healy, Francine Russell, Innikay (Meadow) Russell, Maggie Russell, Victoria (Riley) Yellow Wings, Celia Bad Eagle, Kayla Bad Eagle, Winona Bad Eagle and the many other family members who called him brother from the Iron Shirt, English, Plain Eagle, Crow Shoe families.

Wacey was predeceased by his grandmothers Jocelyn English and Valarie Iron Shirt; grandfathers Harvey Plain Eagle and David Allen English; uncles Timothy Carl English, Leon Iron Shirt, Elroy One Owl, Gary Good Rider, Les Man Who Smokes, Cameron Plain Eagle, Melvin Plain Eagle, Johnny Iron Shirt, Melvin Iron Shirt; aunts Kimberly English, Cheryl Iron Shirt, Corrine Iron Shirt, Roberta Iron Shirt; great-grandparents Margaret and Jim Plain Eagle, Joe and Josephine Crow Shoe, Julies English, Elizabeth Provost, Clara and Fred Iron Shirt; cousins and close family, Travis Big Bull, Tamia Iron Shirt, Mike Many Grey Horses and Jr Sweet Grass.

Born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1989, Wacey was raised in a loving home on the Piikani Nation. He graduated from the Piikani Nation Secondary School. Throughout his life, he became known for his kindness, enormous heart, loyalty, humour, his many talents, and being very involved in many aspects of the Piikani Community.

Over his lifetime, he worked with his father, bother, uncles and cousins as a skilled contractor and worked on many construction projects, including working with Piikani Housing Authority.

As an athlete, Wacey was very active and passionate about several sports. Over the years, he played softball, fastball, volleyball, golf, hockey and pool. He won various titles in all the sports he chose to be involved in. He was well-liked by his fellow athletes in every sport he chose to play, and many of his fellow athletes took him as a good friend and brother.

As a hockey player from his pre-novice year to the midget Wacey’s position was a goalie. He found inspiration from NHL goalie Rick Tabaracci of the Calgary Flames. The Calgary Flames were his favourite NHL team. Wacey was well known for his friendly battles with his friends and family with the ongoing Battle of Alberta rivalry between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. He enjoyed bashing the Edmonton Oiler fans with his witty banter and jokes the second the games were over.

Wacey began his pool career when he was a young child, barely able to see over the pool table. He played regularly both in the Lethbridge and Calgary pool scenes. Throughout the years, he became a champion pool player winning many titles. He travelled to many pool tournaments in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington State.

Wacey proudly practiced his culture by singing and drumming in Pow wow’s. From a young age, he learned from his mentors, which included brothers Jaron and Marcus and his uncle, the late Les Man Who Smokes. He became a mentor and taught his brothers Leland and Carter. Over the years, Wacey was called upon to sing for various events and occasions in Piikani. Including singing for ceremonies for the Thunder Pipe Society and Feather Game Society. Throughout the years, Wacey’s brotherhood grew to include many singers in Piikani, all of whom had a special place in his heart which included the Crow Shoe and Plain Eagles families and Pat and Jay Bad Eagle.

Wacey was a role model to many, inspiring all those he played, worked and sang with. He will be remembered for his big heart, kind soul, loving demeanour, sense of humour, and community spirit. Wacey’s legacy will live on in his family, friends and community.

A Wake Service was held between 2:00 P.M. till 11:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 12, 2023 and Friday, January 13, 2023 at his Family Residence in Brocket, Alberta

A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Piikani Nation Community Hall, Brocket, Alberta followed by an interment in Piikani Nation Cemetery.

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