Bill A. Helton's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Bill A. Helton, age 77 of Charleston, left his earthly home on Monday, April 13, 2015 while at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held today, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Masonic Services conducted by members and guests of Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M. will be held at the close of visitation. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the funeral chapel with Reverend Dr. Bob Swickard officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M., Coles County 4-H, Wesley United Methodist Church, or to a charity of the donor's preference. Gifts may be left on the memorial table during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Bill was born on May 18, 1937 in Shelby County, Illinois, a son of Arthur E. and Evelyn (Kibler) Helton. He married Kay Harmon on August 6, 1961 and they have celebrated 53 years of marriage. In addition to Kay he is survived by their two children, a daughter, Lori Ann Rankin and husband Kevin of Charleston, and a son, Michael Helton and wife Lisa of Dennison, IL; a granddaughter, Kacie Rankin of Charleston; his mother, Evelyn Helton of Charleston; 3 brothers, Jack (Donna) Helton and Richard Helton of Charleston and Victor (Doris) Helton of Naperville, IL; 2 sisters, Diana (Thomas) Lindley of Granada Hills, CA and Brenda Walters of Charleston; numerous nieces and nephews; and their adopted family, Kurt and Tracie Rankin and their children, Brianna, Brody and Brooklyn who consider Bill and Kay to be their grandparents. Bill was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Charles David Helton; a brother-in-law, Rick Walters; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Helton. Bill attended his first three years of high school at Eastern State High School located on the E.I.U. Campus and graduated in 1956 from Charleston High School. He then attended E.I.U. from 1956 - 1958 and was a part of the E.I.U. Panthers football team. Bill was first employed by Moore Farm Building in Charleston, was later an employee of USI Chemical in Tuscola, and for 26 years was employed as a printer at R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Mattoon where he was a highly respected coworker. Bill was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. He became a Master Mason as a member of Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M. and a 32nd Degree Mason as a member of the Danville Scottish Rite in the year 2000, and was also a member of the Ansar Shrine in Springfield. Bill devoted 30 years to the Coles County 4-H program as a leader of the Four Square 4-H Club. Bill had a great love for sports. He supported the local Charleston Trojans and Eastern Illinois Panthers programs, helped coach Little League and Babe Ruth ball teams, and followed all of Kacie's sporting events as her biggest fan. He was a Chicago Bears fan and a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan as well. He enjoyed traveling with Kay, especially their winter trips to Florida and family vacations to the beach. It is safe to say that no matter where he was, Bill never knew a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. He had an abundance of friends and always looked forward to daily conversations at McDonalds with many of them. Attributes such as kind, fair and honest are to be used when describing Bill. He was well liked and well-respected. He will be remembered as an excellent husband, father and grandfather who loved his family dearly. He leaves them with many wonderful memories to cherish.
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