2008
William 'Billy' Brown
A lifetime in the saddle
Date: 2026
Born January 26, 1940, in Browning, Montana, Brown grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation with rodeo in his blood. He graduated from Browning High School in 1960, then earned an education degree at Northern Montana College — but the arena never let go of him. By day he stood in front of a classroom; by weekend and summer, he was climbing into chutes and chasing rodeo across two continents, testing himself against the best wherever he could find them.
That relentless pursuit paid off. In 2008, Brown was inducted into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the legends of Native rodeo in Montana.
Determination — and a good horse — can carry you anywhere.
Off the circuit, Brown built a life just as full: 37 years in the classroom before retiring in 2000. He married Judy Popelka in 1963; the couple later divorced. In July 1978, he married Pattilou in Browning, and the two shared 18 years of marriage together. Outside of competition, Brown loved the outdoors — hunting and spending time along the Milk River were among his favorite pursuits.
Billy Brown passed away on June 29, 2023, at age 83, leaving behind five children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. His story remains a testament to how far determination — and a good horse — can carry a kid from Browning.
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