About Us

Where did they come from?

Where did they go?

Where are they now?

Bill, Michelle and all six children were born in Michigan. Bill was left at birth in a hospital in Battle Creek and adopted from the hospital at six months. Michelle was raised in foster homes after her mother was taken from her at age five and placed in a hospital for 12 years. Her father died of a heart attack when she was 11 years old.

Bill, fresh out of the Navy, a “Sea Bee,” and quiet Michelle, opposite personalities, would have never met so God placed them next door to each other in a very small affordable apartment. Much to everyone’s surprise, they married ten weeks later. Time passed and over time, with their six children Bill and Michelle ventured to Arizona to see Bill’s dad. With no help or support, they met a man by chance in Arizona who took them under his wing teaching them a great deal about Native American Indian jewelry.

Eventually with very little money, they purchased enough Indian jewelry to fill a shoe box of items that turned out to be the best quality possible for extremely fair prices. They began selling their wares at small home shows.

Shortly thereafter, a friend of Bill’s let them use a room in his gas station on Cedar Street in Lansing, MI. After successfully selling at that location, they opened a small shop on Cedar Street for the next five years. Eventually they moved into Frandor Shopping Center in East Lansing MI for 14 years before transitioning to the Meridian Mall for 12 years in Okemos, MI. All six children, daughters-in-law, sons-in law and several grandchildren have all been a blessing in helping to keep the family shop open.

Their favorite reservations are the Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Inuit and Cherokee but it doesn’t stop there. Another favorite place to visit is the Sault reservation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where they enjoy attending pow wows. Bill and Michelle have sold their pieces in outdoor markets in Arizona and have put a store together in Sand Point, Idaho for a couple.

Michelle had always wanted a shop on Mackinac Island and by chance it happened in 2013. Unfortunately around that time, they lost one of their sons, Bobby Carlisle, to an unfortunate accident. Despite having very little when opening the shop on Mackinac, everything seemed to fall into place. When God has his hand in something, nothing can stop it. Michelle now knows why he put them on the island at this time; “he put us here to help us heal.”

Mackinac Island proved to be exactly what was needed. Unfortunately after 5 successful years on the island, in 2017 Bill was diagnosed with non Hodgkin's lymphoma. After teaming up with the University of Michigan cancer center, it became apparent that full time operation of the island store would no longer be possible, so second son Bill (the second) and his wife Karen stepped in to help. Bill and Karen would operate Crazy Horse on Mackinac another 5 years before deciding to leave the island at the end of the 2022 season.

Sadly, Bill Sr passed in April 2024. During his fight with cancer, he was brought to remission early and blessed with 7 mostly good years. Bill and Michelle continued to travel to Arizona and New Mexico every winter, visiting reservations and purchasing items for the store. 

In May 2025, Bill and Karen opened a new Crazy Horse store in Mackinaw City. Keeping a 50 year tradition, Michelle (Mom) came along offering her expertise buying the Native American made jewelry and artifacts for the new store with Bill and Karen. Although Bill and Karen have complete ownership of the business, when asked, Bill will tell you "its a family business". 

"Our family has been blessed and thank all those who have supported us all these years. We look forward to continuing our support of many Native American families by bringing the incredible talents of their work from throughout the United States to you here at Crazy Horse".