William Helton Obituary

William and Barbara Helton

Barbara Carroll Helton 91, died October 18, 2014. She was born on February 21, 1923, in Toronto, KS to Fred and Auda Carroll. She grew up in Wichita, KS. She graduated from Wichita schools and attended Wichita University. She married William Helton Jr. on March 14, 1943, at the Ft. Leavenworth Chapel. She worked at Beach Aircraft during World War II.

When her husband returned from the Pacific they moved to Chanute, KS where they lived for 54 years. During this time she was a volunteer for the American Red Cross and the First United Methodist Church where she was a member. She was a member of several social clubs.

She retired from Southeast KS Area Agency on Aging in 1988 where she was director of the Information and Assistance program for ten years.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Frank Carroll of Hoisington and Fred Carroll of Wichita, and her son-in-law Jim Roberts of Lawrence.

The Heltons moved to Lawrence in 1997 and returned to Chanute in 2010. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in March 2014.

She is survived by, one son; Richard Helton and his wife Mechalina of Salinas, CA, two daughters; Carol Helton Roberts and Joan Helton Myers of Kansas City, MO, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

William Albert "Bill" Helton, age 93, passed away at Heritage Health Care on Jan. 16, 2015. Bill was born on Dec. 5, 1921 the son of William Sr. and Florence (Olford) Helton. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1937, he then attended one year at Chanute Jr. College and one year at Wichita State University. It was in Wichita where he met Barbara (Carroll); daughter of Fred and Auda Caroll of Wichita, KS.

Bill was called into the service in June of 1942 at Fort Leavenworth. He was chosen to be an Army Medic and given an advanced course in first aid at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, CO. While training for overseas service, he and Barbara (Carroll) were married at the Post Chapel at Fort Leavenworth on March 14, 1943. Helton served overseas from May 1944 through Nov. 1945 at Oro Bay, New Guinea and moving on to the Philippines to assist in liberating the city of Manila from the Japanese. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 24, 1945 before being called back to the service in 1951 for 12 months as a Ward Master at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, IN; he was then discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Helton owned and operated Helton's House of Color in Chanute until Sept. 1, 1961 until he sold the business. After Bill began working at the Ashley Clinic in Chanute as the Business Manager until his retirement on Sept. 30, 1987.

Furthermore, Helton was a member of the Chanute American Legion for 70 years, past President of the Chanute Kiwanis, past President of Chanute Country Club and Chamber of Commerce; he served Meals on Wheels, as well as on the Finance Committee of the First United Methodist Church.

William Albert "Bill" Helton was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 71 years Barbara (Carroll) Helton, and his son-in-law Jim Roberts of Lawrence, KS. He is survived by his children: Richard Helton and wife Mechalina of Salinas, CA, Carol Helton Roberts of Chanute, KS and Joan Helton Myers of Kansas City, MO. Bill is also survived by three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends.

A Joint Celebration of Life for Bill and Barbara Helton will be held on Jan. 23, 2015 at 1:30PM at the First United Methodist Church in Chanute, KS; inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors by the Chanute Honor Guard. Informal visitation will take place from 1:00-1:30PM prior to the service, the family suggests memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church and sent in care of Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland Chanute, KS 66720.

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