User:MountainDwelling/William Hauser DePoe (Siletz; 20th century musician)

William Hauser Depoe, Sr. was born on December 14, 1912 to Robert Charles (Siletz Indian) and Mary Houser Depoe (Cheyenne Indian), he was one of five children. Reggie, Chuck,Peter and Roberta. His parents moved to Neah Bay, Washington to continue to teach school. William was named after his great grandfather Chief William Charles Depoe. He eventually took on the title of Chief.

William also had five children with his wife Marie LaFrance, who he met at Chemawa boarding school in Salem, Oregon.

William had a short athletic career where he won a high school Decathlon as well as making it in to the Hall of Fame at Port Angeles, Washington. He eventually joined the National Indian Basketball all Star Team facing against the Harlem Globe Trotters.

Also breaking into music he was part of many bands such as: Lionel Hampton, Lawrence Welk, Bob Crosby, and the Bobcats and Tommy Dorsey.

During World War II William served in the navy becoming one of the 36 survivors of the USS Wateree.

When returning to DePoe Bay he devoted his time supporting his Native American Culture by creating programs in schools as well as participating in Powwows.