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236“you were always there for me”Sue Crystal died at only forty-eight years of age, remembered forher energy, her advisory role to two governors, and her contributionsto Indian affairs and health policy. Gary Locke, former governor,called the loss overwhelming.“As a person, she was one of the strongest, boldest personalitiesthat I’ve ever come across,” Zell says, “yet she was also very soft, lovingand compassionate. . . . Crystal opened new worlds to Billy, and thatmade him stronger in his local world here.”“When Susan died, I never found out she died until after the fact,”says Billy’s son, Tanu. “I understand. Dad was too broken up.” “For along time, I just couldn’t talk about her,” Billy says. “I’d get emotional.And I’d just stand up, and I’ve got to say something in differentforums, and god dang, I just couldn’t say anything. Finally, Igot to where I can talk.”Tanu was able to offer Billy some comfort: he was going to be agrandfather. Tanu’s daughter was named Crystal, in honor of Susan.Sadly, in April 2002, Crystal Elliott died from Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome or sids, the baffling unexplained death of a child underage one.Willie III, meanwhile, had enrolled at South Puget Sound CommunityCollege. “I probably shouldn’t have gone back to school rightaway. My grades weren’t in it. I ended up going through, and I gotgood enough grades to pass for that quarter. I got my AA and I didn’twant to go anywhere out of state or anything, I wanted to be close tomy dad, so Evergreen will be a good choice.” Willie graduated inNative American studies and considers the education “the best thinghe could have done with his life.” Willie is now vice chairman of theNisqually Tribe and has developed a following of his own.Sue Crystal would be proud, Billy says.