Billy Joe passed peacefully at the age of 70, at a Rapid City Care facility. He was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to William “Darrell” Jackson and Patricia “Patsy” Hunter. He was raised in Kyle, South Dakota, until the early 1970s and then resided in Rapid City for most of his life.
Billy Joe graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 1973. He furthered his education by concentrating on Art studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also studied under notable Minnesota/South Dakota artist Diana Tollefson after returning from New Mexico. He then returned to live in Kyle with his Auntie Elvira and Uncle Len and entered the education field, teaching at the Little Wound Day School for a couple of years. He later returned to Rapid City, where he worked as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School.
After making a life-changing decision, Billy Joe became a Recovery Support Specialist, working with at-risk youth in Rapid City and Sturgis, South Dakota. He worked at the Friendship House in Rapid City until it closed. His last job before retiring was with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department as an Addiction Specialist. He must have been great at his job, because when the weather was bad and the roads were closed, they would send a deputy in a sheriff’s vehicle just to pick him up. Billy Joe loved his coffee so much that he would routinely bring his own coffee and coffee pot to work with him at the treatment facilities.
For most of his adult life, Billy Joe was a deeply spiritual man rooted in his Lakota culture. He followed Lakota traditions and values, always teaching his siblings and nephews the ways that respected their heritage. His presence and the wise words he always shared will be deeply missed. A gifted singer, he performed at numerous Pow Wows across the United States with the Black Hills Singers, which included the “OGs” George and Ron Brave, Chuck Davis, Melvin Miner, and Dusty Phelps.
Billy Joe was preceded in death, most recently by his father Darrell. His mother Patsy, his two younger brothers, Donald and Robert Jackson, his brother-in-law Darrell “Reno” LaMania and great niece Ella Charging Crow.
He is survived by his sisters, Carol Jackson-Milano, Jean Jackson (James), and Donna Jackson-Hayes (Dave); his nephews, Will Charging Crow, Jason Jackson (Kim), Elias Fast Horse, and Chad Hayes; his nieces, Patricia Rhodes Hansen (Ben) and Jordyn Jackson (Zjhavese); his great-niece, Avriana; and his great-nephews, Damon, Shay, Elias and Theo. He is also survived by his special cousin and best friend, Penny Hunter Downham, as well as numerous cousins and friends from Kyle, Pine Ridge and Rapid City.
Billy Joe was a good man through and through; no one ever heard a negative word about him, and he was always there to help those in need. He will be greatly missed by his sisters, that’s for sure.
Pallbearers will be Elias Fast Horse, David Rhodes, Jordyn Jackson, Patricia Rhodes Hansen, Donna Jackson Hayes, Jean Jackson, and Carol Jackson-Milano.
Honorary Pallbearers are All Friends and Family.
Viewing Services: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Friday, June 12, 2026, at the St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Rapid City, South Dakota
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 AM, Friday, June 12, 2026, at the St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City, South Dakota
Traditional Lakota Services: Tyrel Salway
Drum Group: Eagle Mountain Singers
Officiating: Fr. Phil Cooke, S.J.
Burial Services: A Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD