William Dean Crawley was born in Phoenix, Arizona on June 20, 1935, to Alice and Dillard Crawley. His maternal clan is Osage (Black Bear) and his paternal clan is English.
Bill was a Private First Class in the United States Army. After serving in the Army, he became a tour operator for the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. He also contributed to his community in the areas of athletics, local businesses, and the Navajo Nation. He is most known for showing the world through his tour company, Crawley’s Monument Valley Tours for 60 years. Billy’s interests included exploring, singing, off-roading, and his family. He was a prominent member of his community and always had a story to share.
Sergio Leone used Bill as a location scout for “Once Upon a Time in the West” since Bill knew every corner of the area. In gratitude Leone gave him a small part in the film. He also presented Bill with ciak board (clapper board) when filming was over. My friend Don Bruce bought the board and when Don died it was passed down to friends of mine in England where it has found a cherished home.
Bill Crawley died in Flagstaff, Arizona on February 10, 2018. He was 82 years-old.
CRAWLEY, Bill (aka Billy Dean Crawley) (William Dean Crawley) [6/20/1935, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. – 2/10/2018, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.] – half Osage Indian - film actor, married to restaurant owner Genevieve Ann Gray [1957- ] father of Tammie Dee Crawley-Nelson, Whitney Dawn Crawley-Miller [1964- ], Michelle Dawn Jensen-Crawley [1973- ], band leader, musician Billy Dean Crawley II [1980- ], Cooder Dean Crawley, Chandler Dean Crawley, stepdaughter Nika Nicole Augustine, stepson Gunnar Soren Jensen, founded Golden Sands Tours, Crawley Monument Valley Tours.
Once Upon a Time in the West – 1968 (railroad foreman)
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