William “Willie” Pickett Price, Jr. died August 20, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 14, 1940, to William Prickett Price and Eileen Joan Price. He was raised on a ranch in the Helena valley. When he was 7 years old, he crawled up a ditch to shoot a pheasant with a .22. There began his love of guns and hunting.
Willie graduated from Helena High School in 1959. He was an avid motorcycle racer. He raced all over the western states and even raced with Evel Knievel. As a Master Electrician in the IBEW, he worked for over 40 years on countless jobs throughout Helena and across the state.
Willie was a true Montana man. He called himself “The Lone Ranger”. He was a jack of all trades, repairing and restoring old trucks. He once took his sister for a ride at over 100 mph on a dirt road to test a transmission. He loved the outdoors. He would walk for miles hunting elk, deer, and sheep. His truck was always hitched to his boat, ready for fishing. He excelled as a trapshooter for more than 60 years and was inducted into the Montana State Amateur Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame.
Willie’s license plate read HGWT (Have Gun Will Travel). As his family and many friends can attest, he was a man with strong opinions, and everyone always knew where he stood. The nurses who took care of him said he was charming and courteous. He had a good heart and will be greatly missed.
Willie leaves behind a son, Mark Price of Colorado Springs, CO, a daughter Marlee Eve of Victorville, CA, granddaughters Brianna and Serena, grandson Skylar and sister Sondra Meyer of Santa Rosa, CA. He and his family are thankful for all the help given by his good friends during his illness.
A funeral service will be held at Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke & Retz, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Helena, MT on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow.
Thomas Juhl says
Willie you were a good friend and I will miss you…….R.IP. PEACE……
Lee & Patti Scott says
Willie – It was a privilege to know you. You were a legend in your own time. We will miss you…
Lee & Patti Scott
Evy Burris Sass says
Dearest Willie, Guess I thought this Day would’nt come but none of us are promised tomarrow. Memories of flat track races, gatherung at Red’s Cycle shop up the Gulch, outings here & there are full of adventures for certain. Well now you have joined “The Riders In The Sky”. I can vision all the group in the theater of my mind. Fare Well Long Time Friend Willie, Your Friend Evy
BARNEY BRANDT says
Willie I have many good memories of us working together at Eagle Electric. Unfortunately, I cannot attend the service as I will be in Alaska fishing doing what you loved to do.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Barney Brandt
Peter Burggraff says
It was of a great shock to me to see Willie name in the obituary. Willie and my self worked the North Dakota sites together. WILLIE WAS A GREAT FRIENF OF MINE AND THERE WERE GREAT MEMORIES WE HAD TOGETHER. Willie WILL ALWAS BE OF A GREAT MEMORIE OF
MIINE AND MAY HE REST IN Pease
PETER BURGGRAFF
Dean Retz says
Having known Willie since our days in high school, and I was lucky enough to see him a lot at the Capital City Health club so we could visit. Wonderful memories! GOD BLESS.
Kelly and Dulcy Hubbert says
We were so saddened to hear of Willie’s passing. We had many good times with Willie at the Helena Trap Club. Our son, DJ, shot with him many times and also has many fond memories of him. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s friends and family.
Sue Jackson says
Sondra, I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. I know you loved him dearly. His death will leave a hole in your heart.
Your friend, Sue Jackson
Valerie Raisch says
To the Price family,
Our condolences to you all. We loved
Willie’s parents Prickett and Eileen , and rented
the upstairs of their home on Holter St. back in
1977. They were so kind to us and we had a lot of fun together. Sending sympathy to all from across the miles.
Valerie and Bob (now in FL.)