McKinley "Bill" William Auginash Jr

McKinley William Auginash Jr, “Bill”, age 69, of Redby, MN, began his journey to the spirit world on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from his residence in Redby, MN, with family close by his side. He was born on January 10, 1956 in Red Lake, MN, to McKinley Sr and Marcella (Johnson) Auginash.

Bill attended St. Mary’s Mission School, Red Lake Senior High School and Ronan Kicking Horse Job Corp in Montana and received his GED and Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate. Bill worked all his life, which included: Commercial Fisherman, Logging, Tree Planting, Forestry Equipment Driver, a School Bus Driver for many years and a former Red Lake Transit Bus Driver. Bill planted the most beautiful garden by his lake home in Redby. In his garden were lots of Gladiolas and Roses, along with his vegetables. In his younger years, he would take his family to Fort Totten Days and camp. In the fall, he would make sure he took his family to the International Pow Wow in Bismarck. Bill loved being with his family and had a very good sense of humor. In the Springtime, he would run the Auginash Sugar Bush and teach the younger generation how to tap trees and gather sap and boil and make syrup and sugar cakes. The students from the Red Lake School District would visit his camp.  Bill and family would go out picking blueberries in Ceded Lands. He would go ricing in the fall. During hunting season, he was a great hunter and had many hunting stories. In the winter, he would always be cutting wood and made Christmas Wreaths. He loved anything outdoors in all seasons. Ice fishing was a favorite, too. Bill loved to play Keno at the Casino. He joked around about Keno patterns. He was a Warrior Basketball fan, attending many games and he drove the team to many basketball games. He was a proud grandfather and Red Lake Basketball fan watching his grandson Travis Juarez Jr playing basketball as a Senior in High School this 2024-2025 season.

Most of all, Bill loved his family. He met his loving wife, Phyllis, and they were together for 48 years. They had one daughter and 3 sons and lots of grandchildren, whom he adored. He was a loving Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Family greeting him in the spirit world are his parents: McKinley and Marcella Auginash; his son: Travis Juarez; grandsons: Levi Auginash and Kingston Juarez; brothers: Darrell (Corky) Auginash; sisters: Mary Charnoski and Ardelle Tikayne; mother-in-law: Winnifred Juarez; brother-in-law: Peter Juarez; nephews: Jared Johnson and Andrew Auginash; nieces: Tammy Charnoski, Makinley Charnoski and Lucinda Auginash; and other family members.

Those he leaves behind are his wife: Phyllis Juarez; daughter: Dacia Juarez (David); son: Harrison Juarez: McKinley "Kinley" (Linda) Auginash III; grandsons: Travis Juarez Jr, Kawliga Dickenson Jr, David Dickenson, Marcus Auginash and McKinley Auginash VI; granddaughters: Diamond Dickenson, Dominique Dickenson, Lily Juarez and McKayla Auginash; brother: Fred (Bridget) Auginash; sisters: Roxanne (Darrell) Johnson, Susan Auginash, Trudy (Bear) Kingbird; brother-in-law: Gilbert (Vicky) Juarez; sister-in-law: Rachel Donnell, Roberta (Bo) Johnson; Cecelia Mondragon, Donna (Willard) Yellowbird, Stephanie Juarez, Threasa Hoggarth (Roger).

Wake will begin at 1 PM on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Redby Center and continue until the service at 11 AM on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 with Father Tom Niehaus. Active Pallbearers will be Mckinley Auginash III, Harrison Juarez, Ryan Auginash, Robin Auginash, Thomas Charnoski Jr, Kawliga Dickenson Jr, Chad Auginash and Travis Juarez Jr. Alternates: David Dickenson, Ian Auginash and Martin Juarez. Honorary Pallbearers will be Darrell Johnson, Kevin Cook Sr, Richard “Dahl” Cook, Thomas Charnoski Sr, Albert Stately, Duane Fairbanks, Gerald May Sr, Keith Beaulieu Jr, Dale Sigana, Jack Desjarlait, Dave Desjarlait, Gilbert Juarez, Mitch Johnson, Rick Juarez and many other friends throughout the years. Burial will be at the Auginash Family Burial Grounds in Redby, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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