Philip Penney

Philip Eugene Penney went in peace to the creator in the early morning Oct. 8, 2015. He was surrounded by his family after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born on July 1, 1959, to Frank and Phyllis (Samuels) Penney in Clarkston. Phil attended school in Lewiston and Lapwai and graduated from Lapwai High School in 1977. He worked for the Wildhorse Casino when it first began and later worked at the Nez Perce Express and the Clearwater River Casino. Phil enjoyed traveling to pow wows and singing with the Nez Perce Nation (later called Waahp Qaqun). They had a busy schedule at many Nez Peace tribal events and memorials. With his ability, knowledge and experience, he traveled to many pow wows and was always welcomed to drum. In this past year, he knew that life was not a guarantee but tried various treatments to spend as much time as possible with his family. He was especially proud to see his daughter, Josephine, complete her reign as the 2015 Happy Canyon Princess for the Pendleton Roundup. He made it to as many events as he could this year: Chief Joseph Days, parades, banquets, the Wildhorse Powwow, Pendleton Roundup events, Big Hole memorial, walk in the tepee village and the Happy Canyon show this last September. We are very happy that he fulfilled his goal.

Phil was a Seahawks and Lakers fan, and he also loved to bowl. In his younger years, he was the first Native American to accomplish a perfect 300 score at Imperial Bowl, awarding him an emerald ring. He was also recognized at this year's Chief Joseph Powwow for keeping Nez Perce powwow singing alive. Phil also enjoyed his yearly fishing at Rapid River.

Phil married Brenda Axtell and they later divorced. He married Deborah Hines on Nov. 9, 1995, residing in the Pendleton and Lapwai areas.

Phil is survived by his mother, Phyllis Penney, who cared for Phil the past two years. Other survivors are his wife, Deborah; children Gabe Bohnee (Carm) of Lapwai, Tatiana and Lillian Penney of Lapwai, Josephine, Charmane and Rena Penney of Thornhollow, Ore., and Rosaline Hines (Sid Jones) of Pendleton, Ore.; father-in-law, Fermore Craig Sr. of Thornhollow, Ore.; and 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by four brothers, Mike (Dee) Penney of Lapwai, Bryan (Lisa) Samuels of Cheney, Wash., Frank (Carol Pryne) Penney of Lewiston, and Wayne (Regina) Penney of Cherry Lane; three sisters, Sylvia (Lem) Mitchell of Lapwai, Loretta (Gordy) Higheagle of Lapwai, and Mildred (Mark) Penney of Culdesac; and numerous first cousins who loved him as a brother.

Those who preceded him are his father, Frank W. Penney Sr.; grandparents Estelle (Amera) Benjamin Penney Sr., Pauline (Corbett) and Joseph Samuels; and granddaughters Precious Kay Jones and Neville X. James.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. today with a dressing at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home, and followed by the rosary at 6 p.m. at the Pi-Nee-Waus in Lapwai, followed by Washut services. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday in Kamiah, at Nakisa Hall. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Kamiah First Indian Presbyterian Church, with burial and dinner to follow.