Obituaries

William Bemer

William “Bill” Joseph Bemer, Wanagi Ob Omani Wicasta, 50, of Poplar died May 28, 2026, in Billings.

There are many words to describe him — son, brother, Uncle, Coach, student, friend, world traveler, sharp dresser but, first and foremost, he was a child of God.

He was born Dec. 12, 1975, to Howard and Carol Bemer, their third and last child. He grew up in Poplar until his family moved to the farm after the death of his Grandma Freda. He was raised on the family allotment where his family had farmed and ranched for generations.

He attended school primarily in Culbertson and graduated from Culbertson High School in 1994. He attended college at Haskell University, Montana State University - Northern and the University of Mary, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor of science in business.

He worked for the Fort Peck Tribes in various departments before beginning his federal service with the Bureau of Indian A_airs and later the Indian Health Service. He was always known for making friends, cracking jokes and always being ready to lend a helping hand.

Making friends and connecting with people was both a gift and a skill for him. He never met a stranger. His life was shaped by the friendships he forged in school, college, clubbing, travel, work, coaching and simply spending time with others. These relationships have led to countless memorable and sometimes crazy stories.

He had a deep appreciation for music, enjoying all genres throughout his life. As a young child, he was often found immersed in the sounds of the stereo, wearing oversized headphones while listening to artists like Donna Summer and Blondie. He shared his love of music with his family, introducing them to a variety of styles and artists they might not have discovered otherwise. He also loved dancing, watching movies and could really tell some good stories and mimic people.

Volleyball was another of his great passions. He enjoyed playing, watching and coaching the sport. He participated in leagues around the area and coached high school teams in Poplar and Culbertson. His enthusiasm for volleyball took him to watch the Final Four in Louisville for collegiate volleyball and even to Brazil for the Summer Olympics to watch his favorite teams and athletes compete.

He is survived by his mother, Carol Bemer; brother, Paul Bemer; and sister, Leslie Gourneau.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar.