William "Bill" R. Helms

William "Bill" R. Helms, 79, of Morganton, NC died Thursday, June 5, 2014. Born in Burke County, NC on July 2, 1934, he was the son of the late William Jethro Helms and Rose Frye Helms. Mr. Helms was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church and was an avid golfer and devoted Braves fan.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorotha "Dot" Hemphill Helms of the home; sons, Keith Russell "Rusty" Helms and his wife, Candace, of Drexel, NC and Dr. Scott Rodrick Helms and his wife, Belinda, of Morganton; grandchildren, Lyndsey Mander and her husband, Wesley, Grant Helms, and Brandon Helms; a brother, Shad Helms and his wife, Shirley, of Morganton; and a sister-in-law, Martha Helms of Drexel.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Helms.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Pleasant View Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Burt Wilbur, Rev. Dr. Ken Hemphill, and Rev. Dr. John Mason officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant View Baptist Church, 1834 US 70 East, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.