Walter Joseph Helms, Sr.
Walter Joseph Helms, Sr. of Sullivan, MO, departed this life in Sullivan on February 2, 2018, having reached the age of one hundred and two years and sixteen days. Walter was born in Sullivan on January 16, 1916, son of Thomas Joseph Helms and Barbara Ann Helms nee Tutterrow.
On November 20, 1937, he was united in marriage to Uhal Ruth Halmick and five children came to bless this union. On June 16, 1978, he was united in marriage to Cleo Dorothy Partridge nee Zimmer and they were blessed to have almost forty years together.
Walter is survived by his wife, Cleo Helms of Sullivan, MO; by one son, Walter James Helms, known to all as Jim, and wife, Linda, of Sullivan; by two daughters, Judy Ann Waldo and husband, David, of St. Clair, MO and Kay Shepherd and husband, Fred, of Festus, MO; by thirteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, fourteen great-great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great, great-great and great-great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Barbara Helms; by his wife, Uhal Ruth Helms; by two sons, John and William Helms; by one brother, John Helms, and by three sisters, Beulah Edwards, Edna Lambing and Ollie Klein.
Walter was a Christian of the Baptist faith and as a young boy, had grown up attending Cave Springs Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO. Walter had lived in the Sullivan area throughout his life and the farm on which he lived had been in his family for about one hundred and fifty years. He took great pleasure in raising Black Angus cattle and hay during his younger years. Walter was an electrician by trade and had been involved in the setting of the first utility poles in the rural areas. In later years, he owned and operated Ozark Electric Company in Sullivan. He was a retiree of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2 of St. Louis, MO. He was involved in the Sullivan community as a young man and served as a volunteer fireman for many years. Walter was an outdoorsman at heart and was happiest when he was caring for and spending time on his farm. Many wonderful memories have been created with his family and they will cherish them forever.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO, with the Rev. Maryann Hamer officiating. Interment was in Oddfellows Cemetery, Sullivan, MO. Memorials may be made to the cemetery.