William Martin “Bill” Helton, Jr. passed away on July 7, 2023, at the age of 90. Born in Gainesville, GA, he was the son of the late William Martin Helton, Sr. and Nellie Burnett Helton. He was predeceased by his first wife, Martha Corine “Cody” Tankersley Helton; his parents, his brother Millard Helton and his wife Viola Whiting Helton; and his brother Otis Helton and his wife, Eva Mae Boyd Helton.
Mr. Helton grew up on College Avenue in Gainesville, where his parents owned a boarding home and his brother was co-owner of the Helton & Langford TV store. He attended Gainesville public schools and graduated from the University of Georgia. He was then drafted into the Army and served state-side at Ft. Jackson, Columbia, SC, during the Korean Conflict. Bill and Cody moved to West Columbia, SC, after departure from service. They adopted their daughter, Dana, in December of 1963. Bill then went to work for SCE&G at the McMeekin Station at the Lake Murray Dam as a chemist for several years. He then transferred into management at the offices in Columbia and managed Pine Island, Misty Lakes, and Sand Dunes. His last position was head of personnel.
He had a gorgeous bass voice and would narrate for churches and sing in choirs. He voiced the SCE&G company employee information line. He was in three Workshop Theater productions in the 1970s with Cody and Dana. He starred as The Wizard in the production of Wizard of Oz during that time.
After Cody passed away in 1999, he married Rita Langford Chambers Helton, a sweet woman that he grew up with, and moved back to his home state of Georgia. They were married for 18 short years.
The surviving members of Mr. Helton’s family are as follows: His wife, Rita; his daughter Dana Helton Risinger (Tommy); his grandson Josh Risinger (Valirie); grandchildren Alexis, Kayleigh, and Thomas Risinger; nieces Linda Helton Butterworth and Shirley Helton Lothridge, and several gr-nieces, gr-nephews and cousins. His special family and survivors on the Langford side: Wendell & Joan Langford (brother-in-law and wife), Jack Langford (brother-in-law), Jean Langford and Nolan Dykes (sister-in-law and husband); nieces and nephews, Sherry Langford Lewis (Chris), Keith Langford (Tammie), Jackson Langford (Cristie), Samuel Langford (Glynis), Dana Lea Langford, Dawn Langford Hucks, Christie Dykes (Todd), Michael Dykes. Special Langford gr-nephews: Zach Lewis, Ben Lewis, Jack Langford, Owen Langford, Sam Hucks, Jacob Taunton, Ryan Taunton, Luke Taunton, Drew Taunton, Karlea Grace Langford, McKinsey Langford. and Barrett Dykes.
You may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.wardsfh.com.
Ward’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gainesville, is honored to serve the family of William Martin “Bill” Helton, Jr.
