ArizonaRealCountry.com 33 December 2017 In 1932, Bill Pickett was kicked in the head by a horse while working at the 101 Ranch and died of his injuries days later on April 4, at the age of sixty-one. His friend Will Rogers announced the funeral on his radio show, commenting: “Bill Pickett never had an enemy; even the steers wouldn’t hurt old Bill.” Pickett is buried near a fourteen-foot stone monument to Ponca Tribal Chief White Eagle, on Monument Hill, in Kay County, Oklahoma. Today there is a Bill Pickett Memorial rodeo series, held annually since 1984. They raise money for scholarships and according to the website, “the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund (BPMSF) strongly supports education and benefits youth each year by providing scholarships to black high school and college students involved or interested in pursuing careers in a rodeo or animal science.” In 1971 Bill Pickett became the first black honoree into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s, Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. In 1989, he was also inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bill was in the films, “The Bull-Dogger” and “The Crimson Skull” and has been credited as the first black cowboy movie star. Holliday Processing, LLC @Holliday Processing Check us out on CUSTOM MEAT AND GAME PROCESSING with 2 Valley locations to serve you: Jason Holliday and Josh Pobstman (623) 853-0601 hollidayprocessing@gmail.com 40895 N. Jack Rabbit Road San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 19249 W. Earl Drive Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 Bales Hay & Feed Sales LARGEST SELECTION OF BALED FEED IN ARIZONA We invite you to “LIKE” us on We Grow and Sell Alfalfa, Bermuda, Rye Grass, Paca Verde, Cow Hay, Oat Hay, and Straw WE ALSO CARRY O. H. KRUSE GRAIN We Load Your Pick-up or Trailer Family Owned and Operated for Five Generations 20600 W. Beloat Rd. • Buckeye Take I-10 West to Verrado, Exit 120, South to Beloat Rd. 623-386-2988 WWW.BALESFARMS.COM Se Habla Español