Walter Helms, Jr, 74, died peacefully with his family by his side, Sunday evening, December 18, 2016 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital.
He was born August 12, 1942, in Knox County, Tennessee, the son of the late Dr. Walter Helms, Sr and Marion Rankin Helms. He attended Lambuth College from 1960 to 1962, where he met the love of his life, Mary Carolyn Herring. Walter graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1963 with a BS degree in Business and Industrial Management. He spent 30 years involved in start-up, acquisition, sales, and mergers of over 35 privately held companies. He then retired from his bearing/distribution, commercial warehousing, and real estate businesses. Walter had an in-depth background in management, finance, sales and marketing.
Mr. Helms has served as Chairman of the Board of Harris Grove United Methodist Church, was a member of the Jackson Rotary Club and Power Transmission Distributor Association (PTDA). Walter and Mary Carolyn are members of Harris Grove United Methodist Church.
Walter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Carolyn Helms, two sons, Walter (Will) Helms, III (Delisa), Jeff Helms (wife Sonya), three grandchildren, Ashley Smith (husband Matt), Lauren Helms, Evelyn Helms, two great grandchildren, Kyler Smith, Korie Smith, three sisters, Marjorie Ebersbach (husband Bob), Mary Jane Tapley (husband Donny), Elizabeth Johnson (husband Bobby), nieces and nephews, Christine Ebersbach, Justin Tapley, Ryan Tapley, Ken Johnson, Erin Johnson and Jaden LeGate.
SERVICES: Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 2:00PM at Harris Grove United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from 4:00PM until 6:00PM at Arrington Funeral Directors.
Those serving as pallbearers will be Jere Raines, Sam Hall, Justin Tapley, Jerry Griggs, Donny Tapley and Bobby Johnson.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to The Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675, woundedwarriorproject.org, or Harris Grove United Methodist Church, 50 Harris Grove Rd, Humboldt, TN 38343.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731-668-1111
www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com