Roberta “Billy Gayle” Bemer passed away in Billings on January 10, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 67 years old.
Born August 10, 1953, Billy Gayle was born to Robert Murray and Patricia “Pat” Atkinson Murray. In her early years in Brockton, she moved with her family to Poplar at the age of 10. Early in her years she discovered her God given talent of music. She sang on the television out of Williston at a very tender age and was hooked. She grew up playing in many bands through the years, most notably the Blue Ribbon Band in the 1970’s, 80’s and even up until 2019 when her illness forced her to retire.
Billy married William “Babes” Prichard in 1971. To this union came her only son Bill Prichard. They later divorced.
Billy married Howard Bemer in 1998 and was happily married until his passing in January 2020. She led an exciting life raising her grandchildren, traveling to Las Vegas and Florida and even living in Nashville, TN for a few years.
Billy had various jobs in her life starting at and ending at Poplar Schools. She could always be counted on for music, snacks, and conversation at all times possible.
Billy had a tough couple of last years. Painfully agonizing, she never gave up or became sour or mean. She really was an inspiration to all that knew her. She will be sorely missed.
She is preceded in death by mother Pat Murray, father Robert Murray and sister Dallas Falcon.
She is survived by son Bill Prichard of Poplar, son Charles K. Headdress of Vernal, Utah who she raised as her own, sisters Patty and Kate Murray of Poplar, Barbara Jean Murray of Laurel, and brother Robert “Boy” Murray of Poplar, special friend Susan Reinlasoder Dodd of Lanigan, Saskatchewan, Canada, also a special lady Carrie Swanson of Billings who fought every day of the last year with her. All of her band buddies, Don Moran, Jessie Kirn, Bob McNally, Ira Darnell and Larry Burshia all of Poplar. Her grandchildren were her life. She leaves behind William R. Prichard (Keelia) of Poplar, her pride and joy and only granddaughter Ronni K. Prichard. And last but not least, her youngest grandson Aiden Lee Charles Prichard.
A special thanks to the Mayo Clinic, Billings Clinic, Aspen View Living Center and Dr. Kidd and Kyle who made Billy’s stay on earth longer and meaningful.
Susan Dodd says
sending all my love and hugs
Pr. Christine Holler-Dinsmore says
Deepest condolences to family and friends. May the care and love of family and friends bring healing. May the sure knowledge of the love of the creator for Billie and you give you comfort, and that she has only passed over to the other side give you hope.You are lifted up in prayer.
Stephanie and Charles Knowlton says
My heart felt condolences to the family of Billie. She was truly the definition of an Angel on earth. Heaven gained a beautiful soul. I’m so thankful that our journeys crossed where a beautiful friendship remained. She was an inspiration to everyone. Blessed 🙏❤️
Charles and Stephanie Knowlton
Nancy Pickett says
Roberta was a bright light of love and joy and will be sorely missed. My condition to her family and friends.
Shari Daniels says
My sincere condolences to your family. Until we see you again.
June Johnson Jensen says
Oh my gosh. I’m so shocked to see that Billy Gayle got her wings. I had no idea she was sick. 😢 Always loved her, she was so kind and beautiful inside and out . I haven’t seen her in many years ,but thought of her often. God Has recieved into heaven another beautiful Angel Fly high beautiful . One day we will all be together again , I pray you continue to share your beautiful voice. 🙏. Thoughts and prayers to all of her family and friends 😢🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Janice Lacounte says
What a abdominal lovely soul. Beautiful inside and out. She will be missed by so many.
Lucy Redekopp says
My heart goes out to all the family. I really liked Billy she. Will be missed.
Rich Peterson says
Rarely do you meet someone who is as generous and kind as Billy. Rest well. 💐
Donna Dethman says
Billy Gayle and I were friends since High School. Such a beautiful kind soul with an amazing singing voice. I am so sad! Prayers for her family!
Paula Holte says
Billie Gayle’s joy, friendliness, generosity, and love will always be remembered! Holding her family in my thoughts and prayers.
Kay Culbertson says
I will remember her beautiful voice. So sorry for your loss young Bill and Babes.
Kay Culbertson
Jackie Weeks says
A beautiful lady with beautiful soul. Her smile, when I would see her, brightened my day.
Janice Lacounte says
So sorry for your loss of such a lovely soul inside and out. She will be missed by so many. She used to sing in our bar. She gave so much to so many people.
Jill Farver says
So sorry to hear! Loved working with Billie- when she did anything, she did it big!! She was so proud of her grandkids! Gone to soon, for sure, but she’s jammin’ with the angels!! God bless her memory!! Jill Farver
Shawn Kenelty says
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Billy Gayle was truly one of the sweetest people I have known. She was always so classy and loved to make other people smile. What a wonderful human being. She will be missed. ❤️
Our condolences, Kevin, Shawn, Brooklyn and James Kenelty
Roxy Smith says
Billy Gayle, such a lovely lady, always upbeat and positive. She was such a great wife to my uncle Howard. They had many adventures together. Fly high girl. You will be deeply missed by all your family and friends. Love you and until we meet again…
Barbara Perry says
Sending sincere sympathy to the family of Billy Gayle. She had a beautiful voice. She is singing with the angels now. R.I.P. Billy. You will be missed by all of us.
Margarett Campbell says
My condolences to Bill and children and all those that loved her. My heart goes out to each of you♡♡♡
Sheila Greybull says
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me for so many years!! You truly deserve those angel wings!! Journey well beautiful!!
Nyla Braaten says
So sorry ,prayers for the family.
Traci LeVay-Holt says
So sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Tim zimmerman says
Prayers to the family
Robert/Terry McAnally- says
So hard to put our condolences into words. To say that we will miss Billie is not expressing our sadness really enough. Among Billie’s many accomplishments–being so well-read and a blast just talk and hang with– she was the “Heart and Soul” of the Blue Ribbon Band. Billie is now the lead singer in God’s heavenly band. Blessings to her family and all who knew Her as a friend and loved to hear Billie sing. Aho.
Greg Carter says
My condolences and prayers to the family.
Patt Runs Through says
Billy Gayle, I remember the first time I heard you sing. It was so powerful!! You were about 15 and you were singing at the Boulevard in Poplar. Thank you for loving my brother Ira Darnell for many years. We all love you. We know you miss your Momma and Daddy and Howard and Dallas. What a beautiful reunion you must be having. I love you and God has you safely home now. God bless your Son Bill and your tiwahe and Takojapi. Doksha Ake Waciya Kink’te my dear Koda.
Michelle Trottier says
My sincere condolences to Bill and family. Billie was always a kind and cheerful soul. Beautiful woman and always did things with such grace. She will be missed in our small community. May she now rest in eternal peace and rejoice in our heavenly father’s arms.
John and Gwyn Nordwick says
Always loved to hear her sing. Sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers to her family.
Margaret Abbott says
I just read of Billy Gayle’s passing and my eyes are filled with tears. She had a smile that lit up the room and she smiled a lot. She will be sorely missed by “little” Bill and especially her granddaughter Ronnie. I am saddened by her loss. I will hold many fond memories of her in my heart until we meet again.
Ronnie G Harris says
Im not really sure how to do this. But, without judgement, bill and babes have always supported our family more than anyone would ever know. My only purpose has always been for everyone to realize they could do whatever they ever wanted to do in life my (funny story), before we moved, we(iva_i) bill getting drunk at the ft peck lake, his exact words were i dont know why people are so afraid to succeed. I attributed that to babes and billy gale. But, what is success? What ancient sioux star knowledge says is, our only purpose in this life, is for our souls ro continually grow, develop, and to help others. I hope all of our people can finally do that some day.
RONNIE HARRIS says
Regardless, of any man judgement s, bill gave his mother the greatest gift of guidance into the spirit world. I hope i have rhe same honor i thank you bill and billy gale for gifting a friend lime that.
Terry Lindsay-Barron says
My deepest condolences to the family. Billie Gayle was a thoughtful, generous, loving women, I’ll miss you! Love You!
Darlyn Grainger says
Hugs and prayers and condolences to all of the family and friends. May God Bless You All during this most difficult time.
Kindra Parry says
Condolences to the family!
Lisa Trottier says
Such a beautiful lady. We loved to visit and joke around with Billy. She had the biggest smile and laugh. Prayers for the family and friends. May the Lord comfort you and help you in the days ahead. Heaven gained a beautiful angel.
Jake Riediger says
My prayers & condolences to the family. I worked with Billy Gayle at the middle school for a few years and she always had the biggest smile. She brought nothing but positivity to work every day. She always went the extra mile for the staff to make sure we all had snacks and drinks. I’ll definitely miss seeing her around town and visiting her. May she Rest In Peace. 🙏
Fritzie Reddies says
To all of Billy’s family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My memories of her are of her big beautiful voice. I’ll never forget her.
Alice Christensen says
My thoughts and Prayers goes out to Bill, grandchildren and her family and friends. She was a very soft spoken person and I was so blessed to know her.I’m sure you were met by many and the Golden gate.RIP my friend .
Gay Pennington says
My heart goes out to Billy Gail family. she was my next door neighbor(cross the street) when my husband Rod left me. She would come over and she would sit with me and we talk. Sometimes she come get me and I would go to her trailer and we would sit and talk. Sometimes she would sing a song to me. Billy was so thoughtful. After I moved to Billings she would run into my mom Vivian Stephanie and ask her how is Gay doing. She was always checking up on me. And when I come home to visit if she is home I will always stop and say hi. That’s going be hard to drive by and not stopping. Billy Gail will be miss and for her talent. She has her angel wings and is with her loves ones. I will miss you deeply and your words when I need some support. But I’ll just sit back and think of you. May God Bless the family.
My deepest Condolence to the family and relatives. Gay(Stephanie, Paulson) Pennington Billings Mt.
Yacinta Jacobs says
Condolences to the family, will miss you.
Trudy Fox says
Prayers and condolences to all Billy’s family and friends. She had a wonderful talent and shared it with so many. May she rest in peace
Corrine Shields says
Billy was a Song Bird and always will be many,many good times with the band.Thanks to Bill or/Babes for all the good .times we shared.Rest in peace, Song bird. Ira Darnell Sr. & Family
Deb Nielsen Macioroski says
Prayer to the family. So many high school memories. Many a night spent listening to Billie Gayle and the band.
Rose Morsette says
Condolences to the family of a beautiful lady, prayers for her son Bill & her grandchildren 🌹
Warren Schwartz says
Bill, I am very sorry for your loss. Best wishes always. Mr. Schwartz.
Ernie Flynn Jr says
I’m so sorry for your loss…. May the Holy Spirit comfort us during this time. I still remember when Lil Bill, would sing along with his Mom! All those years ago…
Leon & Sue Frantzick says
We have so many fond memories of Billy Gayle over the years. She brought a special sparkle to the school environment. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of her family.
Samson And Ann Boyd says
I actually got to know Billy and Howard alot more when they moved to Nashville…..and talk about pleasant folk to be around….one day Billy asked if I had friends who played downtown Nashville I invited them to see GrooveYard ….some of Nashvilles elite players…after the show Billy and Howard were so Thankful….she gave me the biggest hug and said THANK SO Much for inviting us…that was amazing…….I will never forget her smile and Howard’s.
RIP Billy Gale and Howard…..and my condolences to Bill Prichard and family.