The Willard Fraser sign developed by the Yellowstone Historical Society is located at Willard Fraser Memorial Bridge that is on the bike path near Two Moon Park in the Heights. The sign was dedicated in June 2026.

A Poem by Marjorie Frost Fraser

America
Before my eyes, and yet so far above my praise
I scarcely notice you for days and days on end,
And never once commend the million rainbow ways
You rest my weary heart. Your self-deniers look
For you from shore to shore; but while they rove
I find you in some leafy sunny-specked grove,
Or in the frozen fields the harvester forsook.
America—they say you have no native song,-
Even among the windy pines they hear no tune-
But far from where the singing river winds along
I hear it in the stillest hour of burning noon,
And those who say no one has ever heard the words
Are leaving out of all account the voice of birds.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 11 at the Willard Fraser Memorial Bridge, celebrating the installation by the Yellowstone Historical Society of a new informational sign honoring the life and legacy of Willard E. Fraser, Billings’ visionary four-term mayor (1963-1969 and 1971-1972). The festivities opened with the arrival of a group of TrailNet bicyclists led by Kristi Drake and Mayor Mike Nelson, joining the cadre of recent Mayors Bill Cole, Tom Hanel, and Chuck Tooley. Other dignitaries included County Commissioner Mike Waters and Carolyn Sevier, director of the Yellowstone River Parks Association.

The ninety-two-foot bike and foot bridge over Alkali Creek was dedicated in 1999 by the Yellowstone River Parks Association to memorialize Willard Fraser’s commitment to the Billings park system and to the health and environmental benefits of bicycle riding.

Mayors of Billings
From Left to Right:
Bill Cole (2018-2026)
Mike Nelson (2026 - )
Chuck Tooley (1996-2006)
Tom Hanel (2010-2018)