William H. Helmick, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, 96 years old, died May 21, 2009 at home. He was born to Parthena and James E. Helmick near Broken Bow, Nebraska on March 4, 1913, on a windy, snowy day. Snow blew through the walls of the farmhouse onto this tiny newborn! Dad was the fifth child among one brother and five sisters. He once said, "With all my sisters around, I didn't have a chance to be naughty." Dad spent his early years at the Coburg School and working on the farm with his father.
After meeting at church and being acquainted several years, William H. Helmick and Alice Leck were wed in Holy Matrimony on March 29, 1936. They were married over 73 years! Dad had a very good voice. On their 72nd and 73rd anniversaries, he sang to his wife the "Happy Anniversary" song. "Happy Anniversary, you made my life for me. Once again, thanks for the memories. Darling, Happy Anniversary," she beamed.
After farming in Broken Bow, Mother and Dad moved to Cowiche, WA in 1938. In 1941 William J. was born. They then moved to the Kittitas Valley in 1943 where Loel was born that same year.
Dad continued his life's work of farming. Somehow, he found time to play ball, ride horses, and go bird hunting with his sons. When the seven grandchildren were around, Grandpa spent many hours chasing little feet, and later taught them to ride 3-wheeled Hondas and drive the tractor. He was always happy to see each grand and great-grandchild at his door.
Mother and Dad owned the Ellensburg A&W Drive-In for a couple of years. During semi-retirement, Dad worked at Central Washington College and then for Kelleher's Motors.
About 1989 Mother and Dad moved to Yakima, and lived independently until Feb. 2009, when they moved in with Loel and wife.
Dad is survived by his loving widow, who sorely misses him; his two sons, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Dad to us for awhile. Thanks, Dad, for the memories precious. You've helped make my life for me. Viewing will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with interment to follow in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
[Yakima Herald-Republic (WA). Sunday, May 24, 2009]
After meeting at church and being acquainted several years, William H. Helmick and Alice Leck were wed in Holy Matrimony on March 29, 1936. They were married over 73 years! Dad had a very good voice. On their 72nd and 73rd anniversaries, he sang to his wife the "Happy Anniversary" song. "Happy Anniversary, you made my life for me. Once again, thanks for the memories. Darling, Happy Anniversary," she beamed.
After farming in Broken Bow, Mother and Dad moved to Cowiche, WA in 1938. In 1941 William J. was born. They then moved to the Kittitas Valley in 1943 where Loel was born that same year.
Dad continued his life's work of farming. Somehow, he found time to play ball, ride horses, and go bird hunting with his sons. When the seven grandchildren were around, Grandpa spent many hours chasing little feet, and later taught them to ride 3-wheeled Hondas and drive the tractor. He was always happy to see each grand and great-grandchild at his door.
Mother and Dad owned the Ellensburg A&W Drive-In for a couple of years. During semi-retirement, Dad worked at Central Washington College and then for Kelleher's Motors.
About 1989 Mother and Dad moved to Yakima, and lived independently until Feb. 2009, when they moved in with Loel and wife.
Dad is survived by his loving widow, who sorely misses him; his two sons, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Dad to us for awhile. Thanks, Dad, for the memories precious. You've helped make my life for me. Viewing will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with interment to follow in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
[Yakima Herald-Republic (WA). Sunday, May 24, 2009]
William H. Helmick, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, 96 years old, died May 21, 2009 at home. He was born to Parthena and James E. Helmick near Broken Bow, Nebraska on March 4, 1913, on a windy, snowy day. Snow blew through the walls of the farmhouse onto this tiny newborn! Dad was the fifth child among one brother and five sisters. He once said, "With all my sisters around, I didn't have a chance to be naughty." Dad spent his early years at the Coburg School and working on the farm with his father.
After meeting at church and being acquainted several years, William H. Helmick and Alice Leck were wed in Holy Matrimony on March 29, 1936. They were married over 73 years! Dad had a very good voice. On their 72nd and 73rd anniversaries, he sang to his wife the "Happy Anniversary" song. "Happy Anniversary, you made my life for me. Once again, thanks for the memories. Darling, Happy Anniversary," she beamed.
After farming in Broken Bow, Mother and Dad moved to Cowiche, WA in 1938. In 1941 William J. was born. They then moved to the Kittitas Valley in 1943 where Loel was born that same year.
Dad continued his life's work of farming. Somehow, he found time to play ball, ride horses, and go bird hunting with his sons. When the seven grandchildren were around, Grandpa spent many hours chasing little feet, and later taught them to ride 3-wheeled Hondas and drive the tractor. He was always happy to see each grand and great-grandchild at his door.
Mother and Dad owned the Ellensburg A&W Drive-In for a couple of years. During semi-retirement, Dad worked at Central Washington College and then for Kelleher's Motors.
About 1989 Mother and Dad moved to Yakima, and lived independently until Feb. 2009, when they moved in with Loel and wife.
Dad is survived by his loving widow, who sorely misses him; his two sons, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Dad to us for awhile. Thanks, Dad, for the memories precious. You've helped make my life for me. Viewing will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with interment to follow in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
[Yakima Herald-Republic (WA). Sunday, May 24, 2009]
After meeting at church and being acquainted several years, William H. Helmick and Alice Leck were wed in Holy Matrimony on March 29, 1936. They were married over 73 years! Dad had a very good voice. On their 72nd and 73rd anniversaries, he sang to his wife the "Happy Anniversary" song. "Happy Anniversary, you made my life for me. Once again, thanks for the memories. Darling, Happy Anniversary," she beamed.
After farming in Broken Bow, Mother and Dad moved to Cowiche, WA in 1938. In 1941 William J. was born. They then moved to the Kittitas Valley in 1943 where Loel was born that same year.
Dad continued his life's work of farming. Somehow, he found time to play ball, ride horses, and go bird hunting with his sons. When the seven grandchildren were around, Grandpa spent many hours chasing little feet, and later taught them to ride 3-wheeled Hondas and drive the tractor. He was always happy to see each grand and great-grandchild at his door.
Mother and Dad owned the Ellensburg A&W Drive-In for a couple of years. During semi-retirement, Dad worked at Central Washington College and then for Kelleher's Motors.
About 1989 Mother and Dad moved to Yakima, and lived independently until Feb. 2009, when they moved in with Loel and wife.
Dad is survived by his loving widow, who sorely misses him; his two sons, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Dad to us for awhile. Thanks, Dad, for the memories precious. You've helped make my life for me. Viewing will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with interment to follow in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
[Yakima Herald-Republic (WA). Sunday, May 24, 2009]
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