William R. “Bill” Helmick, age 85 years, a resident of Morgantown, departed this life Monday, June 1, 2026 at The Country Retreat at Albright, WV, Preston Co.
He was born Saturday March 8, 1941, at Ridgeley, WV, a son of the late Obed F. Helmick and Margie V. Bonner Helmick Jennings and his stepfather, Arnold Jennings. On April 6, 1964, at Baltimore, MD, he was married to his best friend, Janice Elaine Watkins Helmick, who preceded him in death.
Surviving is one son, James Benton Helmick and significant other Kelly Porter of Pasadena, MD; two grandchildren, Brian Helmick and Gabrielle Helmick and fiancé Randy Scott; two great granddaughters, Harper and Kinsley Scott; several nieces and nephews and special niece, Diana Canale.
Preceding him in death are three brothers, Franklin, Keith and Obed Helmick; five sisters, Nance Shipp, Kathleen Irvin, Jean Irvin, Helen Wise and Joanne Hallas; and three step siblings, Mary Jo, Elizabeth and Andrew.
He was a graduate of Patterson Park High School with the class of 1960. He attended Community College of Baltimore for Law Enforcement and received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, Sgt 501st Infantry Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1960 to 1963. He was a Lieutenant with the Baltimore City Police Dept. from 1963 to 1990. He was an active reservist with combat service in Panama, Iraq, and Desert Storm. He was proud of his service and his country and was in uniform for twenty-six years, three months and fifteen days. Bill was Baptist by faith and was a member of the FOP Lodge 3 of Baltimore, life member of the N.R.A. and the V.F.W. Post 11143 of Linthicum, MD, life member of the 82nd Airborne Division Assoc. of WV, a former member of the screen actors guild, third degree Mason of Howard Lodge #101 in Elkridge, MD. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, having taken trips to Quebec, Newfoundland, Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Pheasant Run. Over the years, Bill, Janice and their family enjoyed their trips to Disney World, Hong Kong, U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii.
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons, WV on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 11 AM until 1 PM the funeral hour. The Reverend Cecil Hines officiated and interment followed, where the WV Army Honor Guard, the Tygart Valley Post #3647 Veterans of Foreign War and the Tucker County Veterans Association conducted full military honors. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of the arrangements for William R. “Bill” Helmick. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
