William Michael Denny Mix

William Michael Denny Mix, 31, of Great Falls, took his own life on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, in Great Falls. A funeral service will be held in De Smet, Idaho with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in De Smet. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

William Michael Denny Mix was born on May 7, 1981, in Spokane, Wash. to William Judd Mix and Melody Marie (Denny) Mix. He served honorably in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Reserves in which he was actively deployed. Further, for two years, he devoutly served as a Mormon Missionary. Finally, he gained employment as a high-risk security officer working at a homeless facility in Salt Lake City where he sustained physical injuries on numerous occasions. However, his sense of duty to his job compelled him to persist.

In December of 2008, he received a Citizen of the Month award from the Salt Lake City Police Department for disarming a man with a knife who was assaulting another person-someone who William did not know-and restraining the man until police arrived.

William was an avid reader and loved the outdoors including hunting and fishing. He dreamed of obtaining a career in herbal medicine. He was also artistically creative and made beautiful jewelry and other Native artifacts. He was a proud Native American.

After struggling with depression and post traumatic stress disorder for several years as a result of his military service, William decided to take his own life.

He was a sensitive soul generous to a fault. Although he was here only a short time, he left a life-long impression on those he met. He will be deeply missed, but always remembered and loved.

William is survived by his brothers, Andrew Mix and Mathew Denny, both of California; his aunts Juanita Lachasse of California, and Sheila Denny, Eunice Berger, Doreen Anderson and Bonnie Anderson, all of Great Falls and Tiny Rognstad of Bemidji, Minn.; cousin Bren-dia King of Great Falls; uncle Alex Denny of Rocky Boy; as well as numerous extended family members.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; great-grandfather Walter Alex Denny; great-grandmother Nellie Peeper Anderson; ma-ternal grandparents, Matthew Denny and Audrey Denny; and paternal grandparents Todd Mix and Mary (Vaughan) Mix. In addition, he was the great-grandson of the late oldies western actor, Tom Mix.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in William's name to Disabled American Veterans, 600 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT 59401.

Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribunecom/obituaries.