Clay Jon Benoist

Clay Jon Benoist was born July 21, 1991 in Eagle Butte SD to Lisa (Whirlwind Horse) and Allen Benoist. He spent his youth and teenage years in the Eagle Butte community and attended Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools where he graduated from C-EB High School in 2010. Clay also graduated with a two year Carpentry degree from Oglala Lakota College. He then began his journey in the world of work; he loved to work. His jobs included working for the Cheyenne River Housing Authority Modernization Program, Maintenance work for the City of Eagle Butte, Assistant Facilities Manager at the Medicine Wheel Village Care Center, and Badlands National Park Maintenance Department.

In 2014 he moved to his Grandma Mae's ranch near Interior, SD and began his ranching life, something he had always wanted to do and he enjoyed every bit of it. Clay Jon loved the outdoors, he was always busy, always had a project going whether it was his carpentry work, or tinkering with tools, always making something; his time was never idle. He loved working with cows, hauling bales, helping with other animals on the ranch, and branding. He helped out at many brandings in the area and enjoyed time spent with his friends and neighbors, which were many. He was said to even have his favorite foods at different brandings. He loved socializing and was quick to help others out and lend a hand when needed.

Clay was always laughing, teasing and joking; he had an infectious smile that will be forever remembered. He was a humble and respectful man, very generous and had a happy spirit within him and was a positive light to many. In his young life he made many friends and touched a lot of lives; strangers became friends and friends became family to Clay. He always had a concern for others before himself, he loved his nieces and nephews and enjoyed every minute he spent with them. His sisters Ky and Ets, were his girls, he loved them with all he had. He was so proud to be an uncle to Tynan Eliah and Xavier Gage and even more proud that his nephew Xavier was also his Godson, always referring to him as his "Zavie Baby." He had some very special little people in his life, his niece and nephews, Kylee, Taygen, and Levi.

Clay loved to dance and was quite the dancer, his Mom loved dancing with her boy. She loved his daily phone calls as he would greet her early, each and every morning to tell her he loved her and wish her a good day. Clay thought the world of his Dad, his Dad was so very special to him. He always said there was nothing in this world that his Dad wouldn't do for him. Clay Jon was so loved. His parents and grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and host of friends and relatives, will miss him greatly. Our strong, gentle, handsome, good humored cowboy.... we will miss him always and love him forever.

Clay Jon is survived by his parents, Lisa and Allen Benoist of Eagle Butte; sisters, Kyanne (Michael) Potter and Ettie Mae Benoist; nephews, Ty and Zavie all of Artesia, NM; sister, Megan Lawrence of Eagle Butte; and brothers Kael (Whisper) Whirlwind Horse of Eagle Butte, Link (Talys) Whirlwind Horse of Colorado Springs, CO and Braylan Benoist of Eagle Butte. Clay also leaves behind two families that loved and cherished him very much.

Whirlwind Horse Family, his grandma Mae; uncle, Jonnie (Monica); aunties Judy, Carmen (Sam) One Skunk, Diana, Mia, Lia and Mert; cousins, Dani and Katy; nieces Kylee, Miley, Rainee and Rilee; and nephews, Taygen, Skyler, Ty, Zavie, Levi and Jay. Preceding him in death were his grandpa Elijah Whirlwind Horse, uncle Kevin, aunties Wilma & Sally Ann and cousins Robert and Alan.

Benoist Family, his grandpa Russell; uncles, Nathan, Marc (Alissa) and Leland; aunties, Michelle, Melanie and Marisa; cousins, Deon, Nate, Breeanne, Jocelyn, Leona, Bray, Quinn, Coen, Mason, Neveah, MaeBelle, Luka, Cordelia, Kelyn, Jason and Jared; nieces, Rozllyn, Emme, Jazlene and Sekani; and nephews, Lennox, Rocklin, Lux, Takoda, Dredon, Covy and Conor. Preceding him in death were his grandma Cordelia and cousin Adalei.

Other people that were dear to Clay were, grandmothers Bonnie Miller and Faye Condon, both of Eagle Butte; and Jo Ellen, Norm, and Shelly.

A rosary service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7 p.m. MDT with a time of fellowship from 8 p.m. to midnight at the old Agency Building in Eagle Butte.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the Interior Fire Hall in Interior.

Service Details

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Friday, July 26, 2019 - 7 p.m. - midnight
Rosary service at 7 p.m.
Old Agency Building
Eagle Butte, South Dakota

PRESIDING
Father John Paul
Shirley Dog Eagle
Valerie Curly

MUSIC
Jo Ellen Berndt - Pianist

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE
Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 5 p.m.
Interior Fire Hall
Interior, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Deacon John Apple

Guest Book