Tony Hillerman, author of the well-known Navajo detective novels, as well as other non-fiction works, died on Sunday of pulmonary failure at the age of 83.

Anne Hillerman, the writer’s daughter, announced that the death of her father occurred at the Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque at approximately 3 p.m. In addition, she explained that Tony Hillerman’s condition had been worsening during the past few days before his decease.

The creator of literary characters Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee survived two heart attacks and surgical procedures for prostate and bladder cancer. In spite of the fact that his sight started to reduce, his hearing began to die away and rheumatoid arthritis affected his hands, Tony Hillerman just could not give up writing.

The writer made his major commercial step forward with “Skinwalkers,” which was published in 1987 and was the first book to include both Lt. Joe Leaphorn (introduced in “The Blessing Way” in 1970) and officer Jim Chee (who appeared for the first time in “People of Darkness” in 1978). The novel sold 430,000 hardcover copies, preparing ground for “A Thief of Time,” which was a best seller. Tony Hillerman brought to light 18 books in the Navajo series, with the latest called “The Shape Shifter.”

His Navajo books include an unembellished writing technique, complex intrigues, outstanding depiction, as well as glowing images of Indian ceremonies and of the immeasurable upland of the Navajo reservation in the Four Corners area of the Southwest.

The most celebrated of the novels, including “Talking God” and “The Coyote Waits,” feature clever analysis of human temperament and the clash between cultural absorption.

The writer is survived by his spouse, Marie, and their six children.