Lance Cpl. Craig A. Asay died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, in Oceanside, Calif., after being injured in a traffic accident. He was 20 years old.

A traditional Indian funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Monday Aug, 28, in Rocky Mountain Hall at Fort Washakie with Harrison and Arlen Shoyo officiating. Internment at the Wind Dancer Cemetery at Fort Washakie.

Craig Alan Asay was born in Riverton on March 29, 1986, the son of Estelle Harris Smith and David Asay. His Indian name of Yellow Buffalo Standing was given to him by his uncle, Harlold Ouray.

He graduated from Sheridan High School in 2004.

He served as commander of amphibious assault vehicle 1833, ran a first class PFT, and shot expert in marksmanship on the rifle range. The lance corporal earned a tan belt in martial arts and had completed the fundamentals of Marine Corps leadership.

He completed recruit training, assault amphibian crewman, wartime detention, Marine combat training, peacetime/hostage, and government detention schools.

Once serving in #D amphibian assault battalion, Asay joined B Company and was deployed to Al Qu’im, Iraq, on Sept. 19, 2005, serving there until April 17, 2006. Upon his return from Iraq, he was battalion special ordered to ECO and went to Mojave viper training evaluation from June 17 through July 31 of this year.

His Marine Corps awards included the Global War Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, C Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Citation.

While at home, his family said he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, listening to music and rock climbing. He also was an avid hunter.

LCpl. Asay is survived by his fiancé, Annie Fink of Sheridan; parents Estelle and Clarence Smith of Riverton and David and Amelia Asay of Riverton; sisters Kristie and Mario Salazar of Rock Springs and Maria Kane of Riverton; great-grandmother Rosie Harris of Fort Washakie; great-grandparents Ken and Shirley Asay of Pavillion; aunts and uncles Jim and Debbie Cosner of Sheridan, Leon Harris of Riverton, Dwight Sr. and Stephanie Harris of Fort Washakie, Jacque and Kent Hall of Riverton, Linda and Tim Glenn of Riverton, Tom and Joyce Asay of Montana, Jerry Asay of Powell, Carol and Ed Meyers of Dubois, Ronnie and Chris Asay of New Benn, N.C., Kay Asay of Manhattan, Mont., and Margaret Madison of Utah.

He was preceded in death my his grandparnets, Fred and Eula Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Asay; great-grandfather Fred Harris Sr., great-grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Dick Traweek; uncles Rod and John Harris, Gordon Traweek and Jack Asay; aunts Julie Mitchell, Evelyn Staffinos and Margaret Madson.

Services were provided by Wind Dancer Funeral Home of Fort Washakie.

The Sheridan Press - September 9, 2006