bear brown’s son River turns onecredit courtesy discovery

Bear Brownis thinking about his late father,Billy, as he celebrates his sonRiver’s 1st birthday.

Alaskan Bush People’s Billy Browndiedon Feb. 7 after suffering a seizure at the age of 68. Bear, one of his seven children, revealed in a Tuesday Instagram post that he’s taken to calling his own son “Little Billy” in honor of his dad.

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Bear Brown’s son River.

Bear Brown’s son River

“Someone who was always there for me, someone who always had the right answer, no matter how silly, or serious the question, someone who always stood up for what he believed in!” the 33-year-old star continued. “Someone that helped everyone he came across, someone that cared about people that didn’t care about him! Someone that truly loved life! And believed in God with all his heart!”

Billy Brown.Discovery

Billy Brown, Alaskan Bush People

Bear, who shares River withRaiven Adams, concluded, “I have large boots to fill! And I will give my all to try to fill them!!!! Happy 1st Birthday River!!!! Daddy loves you!!!”

Last month, Bear similarly paid tribute to his dad with an Instagram post, sharing that he’s “glad"Billy got to meet Riverbefore his death.

“I’m glad my Dad got to meet my son, his grandson,” he captioned two photos of Billy with River. “I will always remember the twinkle in his eyes when he held him! Hold tight to your loved ones! You never know when it’s the last moment you’ll get with them.”

RELATED VIDEO: Billy Brown, Alaskan Bush People Dad, Dies at 68: ‘We Are Heartbroken,’ Says Bear Brown

Bear was the one to announce the news of Billy’s death, writing onInstagram, “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved patriarch Billy Brown passed away last night after suffering from a seizure.”

“He was our best friend — a wonderful and loving dad, granddad and husband and he will be dearly missed,” he added alongside a photo of Billy and wifeAmi Brown.

Billy, also father to daughter Snowbird and sons Matt, Bam Bam, Gabe and Noah, had starred onAlaskan Bush Peoplealongside his family since 2014.

source: people.com