Albert White Hat Sr. was born November 18, 1938 near St. Francis, South Dakota to Joseph and Emily Hollow Horn Bear, White Hat. He spent his entire life on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Albert's family consisted of four brothers and two sisters. He was the grandson of Chief Hollow Horn Bear.

Albert attended Spring Creek Day School, St. Francis Boarding School and later attended Sinte Gleska University in Mission and received an Honorary Doctorate Degree. He taught Lakota Studies at Sinte Gleska University for more than 25 years. He was a member of the Aske Gluwipi Tiospaye.

Albert married Marlies Przybylo, at Pierre, in 1975. He had seven children, fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Justin, Isadore, Martin, Bernard and sisters, Pearl Walking Eagle and Lorraine White Hat.
He is survived by his wife Marlies of St. Francis; sons, Steve (Joanna) of Rapid City, Albert Jr. (Jessie) of Rosebud; Daughters, Anne White Hat of New Orleans, LA., Jacqui White Hat of Rapid City, Emily White Hat of Washington DC, Lisa White Hat of Mission and Leona White Hat (Louis Antoine) of Mission.
Wakes for Albert White Hat were held Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th at the SGYU Multipurpose Building in Mission, SD. Funeral service was held at 10:00 am. Saturday, June 15th at the SGU Multipurpose Building in Mission, SD. Burial followed at Hollow Horn Bear Sundance Grounds west of St. Francis, SD.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of the funeral arrangements.