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Chapter 13ResilienceBilly is sometimes compared to the Energizer Bunny, the immortalcharacter that came to life in 1989 beating the drum for the long lifeof Energizer batteries. Billy’s own ability to keep “going and going andgoing” is perhaps more remarkable noting the blows that could haveswayed him off track. The elder has been dealt his fair share of grief.In the early 1980s, Billy and longtime wife Norma separated. Thecouple had a hard time, says friend George Walter. “I think they hada disappointing marriage in that they didn’t have children [biologically].I think that Billy always made sure that he cared for her, tookcare of her. She was part of the whole team down at Frank’s Landingfor a long time.” Despite the parting, they maintained an amicablespirit. Billy still cared for Norma as she suffered from diabetes, achronic disease that afflicts Native Americans more than any otherethnic group. “I did what I had to do and there was no inference,argument, or anything,” he says of their split. “We never had anargument.”Billy’s relationship blossomed with Sue Crystal, the “larger-thanlife”Magnuson aide.” Her and I was just side by side,” Billy says.“She did what she does, and she let me do what I do. We just complementedeach other, and kept on going.”“She was like a force of nature coming into his life and completely190