HELMS, William (Bill) Hartley

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ September 28, 2010 William "Bill" Hartley Helms, 73, of Chandler and formerly of Ajo, Pinetop-Lakeside, and Casa Grande died with his two daughters and sons-in-law by his side Sept. 19, 2010, in Mesa at the Odyssey Hospice Home after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bill was born in Phoenix Aug. 20, 1937, to Vern Francis Helms, and Betty Angle Helms, and was raised by his father, Vern, and step-mother, Addie Lue Helms "Mimi" in Ajo. Bill lived most of his life in Ajo, until the closing of the Phelps Dodge mine, in the 1980s when he and his wife, Elene, moved to Pinetop-Lakeside. Bill was employed by Phelps Dodge for 28 years, and held the positions of crusher operator, repairman, and lastly mill foreman. After moving to Pinetop-Lakeside Bill was employed by Wal-Mart as a department manager and worked there until his retirement. Bill is survived by his two daughters Debra Lynn Medina (Bobby) of Morenci, and Brenda Sue Helms-Sanders of Casa Grande. He is also survived by four granddaughters Amanda and Stephanie Medina, and Bailey and Jessica Sanders; one great grandson, Joshua Derrick Medina, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. He was an amateur photographer and craftsman. He tied his own fishing flies and would give away some of his best ones to his friends. He loved hummingbirds and kept the feeders full at his home in Pinetop-Lakeside. He also did oil paintings. Many of his paintings, and crafts were given away to family, and friends as gifts. He enjoyed anything outdoors and would often joy rides through the desert near Ajo, and stop to enjoy a steak cooked on mesquite wood over a grill in the middle of a sand wash. Bill was also a lifetime member of the Masons, and Past Worshipful Master of Ajo Lodge # 36 of the Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife, Elene, were also Guardians of the Job's Daughter's Bethel # 5 in Ajo for a time. He was a member of the Desert Valley Church of Christ in Casa Grande. Bill was preceded in death by his mother Betty, step mother Lue, father Vern, brother, Fred and wife Elene. His daughters request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or Odyssey Hospice in his name. A memorial service will be held Oct. 23, at the Desert Mountain Bible Fellowship in Queen Creek, at 2 p.m.