Billie Mercer, 97

Billie Price Mercer passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Polson at the remarkable age of 97.

She was born March 27, 1929, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Jimmy Price and Jeanette King Price. She had one younger brother, James. Much of her childhood was spent in Troy and Libby.

In 1948, Gem H. Mercer, a handsome war hero from Missoula, grabbed Billie in Troy and headed for Missoula. On their way, they stopped off in Thompson Falls and got married.

Making their home in Missoula, the couple operated numerous businesses, including The Sunshine Bar, where Billie sang lead with the Snake River Outlaws. While in Missoula they started their large and happy family.

In 1961, she and her husband purchased the Sunset Lodge (now End-O-Kare Lodge) on Flathead Lake in Polson. Beginning as weekenders, they eventually made it their permanent home in 1971. Billie’s excellent cooking and meticulous housekeeping made the Rocky Point Sunset Lodge the constant gathering place for their many friends and family. 

Billie was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother as well as her husband of 60 years. Painfully, she was also preceded in death by her son, Michael Ralph Mercer, stepson Jack Blaine Mercer, and daughter, Shan Michelle Toussaint.

Survivors include her children, John Mercer (Kathleen) and David Mercer, both of Polson, and Gem Renee Mercer of Idaho, as well as her stepson, Toby Mercer of Kalispell. Billie was blessed to be a grandmother to 11 and great-grandmother to 10.

Billie loved sports and was a loyal fan attending all her children’s games. Her love of football seemed to increase as she got older. She followed the Polson Pirates, Lady Pirates, Grizzlies, Bobcats and the Kansas City Chiefs.

One highlight of her life was making a hole-in-one at Polson Country Club. She couldn’t believe it, but she had witnesses.

Another highlight was acting as the Rotary Ann representing Montana when her husband was District Governor in the 1980s. They travelled to Boca Raton, Hilton Head, Toronto, and the Waterton Peace Park as well as many other destinations as they served as Rotary Ambassadors.

Always very social, Billie was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she had many friends. She was active with the Polson Red Hats and enjoyed their luncheon get-togethers.

A long-standing member of Beta Sigma Phi women’s sorority, the club became a fixture in her activities for over 50 years. These ladies were like sisters to her.

Billie was grateful to those who took care of her – Dr. Rausch, Matt O’Neil, those at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Assisted Living in Polson as well as the many doctors and nurses at Community Hospital in Missoula, the University of Utah Medical Facility, and the Rehabilitation Facility in Sandy, Utah.

Billie’s beautiful smile always made a lasting impression. She enjoyed entertaining and loved to decorate and celebrate. 

Billie loved people and will never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to know her. She wanted to express her thanks to her treasured friends who enriched her life and stood by her to the end.

Billie will be interred at Lakeview Cemetery with funeral arrangements under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to the Greater Polson Community Foundation in her name. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.