Joseph Billy, Ch’itwú (1921 – 1996)

Joe Billy was named Ch’itwú (a kind of white bird) after the late Slim Jim [son of Marsh Lake Jackie, chief of the Marsh Lake people in the late 1800s?]. Joe was born at Marsh Lake to Kitty and Whitehorse Billy [Smith?]. Joe worked for White Pass as a section hand and he worked on the sternwheelers. He worked as a truck driver and grader operator during the construction of the Alaska Highway. He loved the outdoors and guided to various big game outfitters.(( Joseph Billy, Celebration of life pamphlet.)) 

Later in his life, Joe Billy was a woodcutter for the Ryders.(( Joseph Billy, Celebration of life pamphlet.)) Ryder’s Fuel Service, started by George Ryder, cut cordwood near Whitehorse and delivered it first by horse-drawn wagon and then by truck to Whitehorse homes.((//Whitehorse Star// (Whitehorse), 31 October 1924.))