In the early evening hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026, Bill Summers slipped quietly from his earthly home to his eternal destination in Heaven after a brief illness.
Bill was born in Great Falls on June 30, 1937, the first child of John Summers and Frances Turner Summers. He was shortly followed by brothers Gary, Jon and sister, Shirley. After his father’s death in Germany in WWII, the family moved to Helena and his mother married Sam Harris from Boulder. That marriage was a wonderful decision for the kids who all loved Sam and resulted in the birth of another sister, Joy. Through Sam, Bill learned lifetime skills of hunting big game and fishing Montana streams, especially in the Elkhorn Mountains.
He attended Helena schools until his seventeenth birthday when he and a buddy decided to join the Marine Corps. After his service, he came back to Helena and held several jobs, including working in the VA file room at Fort Harrison, where he met Myrna Davison. After a year of dating the two were married in East Helena on September 23, 1960.
In 1965, a son, William Jr., was born followed by son, Robert, in 1968. Many hunting and fishing trips to the Tizer Basin were enjoyed by the whole family, creating wonderful memories. The trips were made in the Jeep, which frequently would have some mechanical issues, and Bill would jimmy something up to continue the excursion.
In 1969 Bill and Myrna purchased and operated the Power Townsend grain elevator after which Bill started farming. He joined the East Valley Volunteer Fire Department soon after its formation and served 49 years. He became interested in firefighting and bought three trucks, which he leased to the Forest Service during fire season. During that period, he joined with two friends to establish a construction company (Old Farts Construction), undertaking a range of building projects in the region.
He was well known for his kindness, honesty and generosity.
Bill is survived by his wife, Myrna, sons, Bill (Robyn) and Bob (Erin), grandchildren, Sam Summers, Macie Summers, Tyler Luce, Corbin Luce, Katelyn Summers and Braden Summers, sisters, Shirley Chovanak and Joy Gilford and many wonderful nieces and nephews whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gary and Jon and a beloved nephew and niece.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, from the Friendship Baptist Church in Montana City, MT. A reception will follow in the social center of the church. Burial with military honors will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Memorial Shelter at the Montana State Veteran Cemetery at Ft. Harrison, MT.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday March 30, 2026
Friendship Baptist Church
5 Friendship Lane
Montana City, Montana 59634
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Service
Monday March 30, 2026
Social Center of the Church
,
Burial with Military Honors
1:30 p.m.
Monday March 30, 2026
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Ft. Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday March 30, 2026
Friendship Baptist Church
5 Friendship Lane
Montana City, Montana 59634
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Service
Monday March 30, 2026
Social Center of the Church
,
Burial with Military Honors
1:30 p.m.
Monday March 30, 2026
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Ft. Harrison, Montana
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Sharon Heigh says
Myrna and Family
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing!
Thoughts and prayers are with you
Carter Niemeyer says
Myrna, Billy, Bobby and extended Family
My heartfelt condolences to all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
All of you are dear friends – we have a long history and what a history it has been! Nothing but fond memories of good times. Bill and Myrna’s benevolence to me and my family have been immeasurable. Thank you!
I feel blessed to have stopped in to see Bill and Myrna this past Christmas time. A chance to catch up and, perhaps, say goodbye to an old friend.
Thanks for your friendships and kindnesses over the years – Bill is an unforgettable person and our adventures many. Rest in Peace my friend.
Carter Niemeyer
Steve Sheldon says
Myrna, Bobby, Billy, and all…I am terribly sorry about Bill’s passing. Lots of good memories. I am thinking of you.
Craig Martin says
Sorry to hear of Bill‘s passing. I really enjoyed him over the years. I just drove by there two weeks ago and I was wondering how he has been really sad. He was a great man.
Michelle (Matyas) Van Nice says
Myrna, Billy, Bobby and families,
So very sorry to read about the loss of your Dad. He was a great man.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Claudia E. Thomas says
Condolences with prayers of comfort for the family and friends over the passing of Bill. I recall well his dedication to the fire service. May he be at peace.
Kit Chovanak says
Myrna and family, Sunitha and I were very sad to hear of Bill’s passing. We hope you are doing OK, our thoughts are with you.
Ron Warren says
My deepest condolences to Myrna and the entire Summers family. Memories of Bill as a kind and gentle soul live on in my heart. I remember his love and respect of animals both in harvesting elk and in the friendship of dogs (and an old sow that he didn’t want to slaughter)! He was never afraid of sharing his opinion on matters of worldly concern as well as God’s. He remains in my heart as a great inspiration and role model.
Steve & Wanda Arlint says
Myrna & family:
Sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. You were great neighbors when we lived on Canyon Ferry Road. It was nice to reconnect with you at Friendship Valley Baptist Church. Bill was always a kind sole. Please find comfort in knowing we care.