Willard Helmick

Willard Helmick, 93, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2011, at his residence with his loving wife of 76 years (Aug. 24) and family by his side after a short, courageous battle with cancer. Willard was Methodist by faith. He was born August 11, 1917 in Morgantown, the son of the late Burley and Anna Fickey Helmick.He married his wife Twila in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he was working in a tin mill. They moved back to Morgantown where they lived on the Pleasant Hill Road farm, Willardâs family farm since he was 13. He retired from American Home Food Products, after 34 years. He also had his own photography shop, worked at Dupont, the Tin Mill and the Pepsi Cola Plant. With his wife, he is remembered for having a top country and western band in Morgantown, known as the West Virginia Ramblers, which performed on WAJR radio at G. C. Murphyâs Department Store and other places in the local and surrounding areas. Nothing brought more pleasure to Willard than caring for his lawns and his home, other than enjoying time with his children and grandchildren. He taught them all his many skills.In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters and son-in-laws Patricia and Ed Cyphert, Dixie and Rich Petro, Sandra and Ron Figiel and Terry and Rick Jones, all of Morgantown. They also have 12 grandchildren: JoAnna, Pamela and spouse, Lee, Donna and spouse Tom, Lori, Eddie, and spouse Melissa Denise, Kathy, Brenda, Ronnie and spouse Kelly, Ricky and spouse Jaime, Samantha and spouse Justin and Sarah Jo and companion Jonas and 24 great-grandchildren Kayla, Hannah, Maria, Shannon, Frankie, Adrianne, Alexis, Abigail, Eddie, Samuel, Emma, Elizabeth, Presley, Annie, Emily, Trisha, Philip, Blake, Michael, Sean, Dylan, Nicholas and Elizabeth and Ethan and four great-great-grandchildren.The family would like to thank Willardâs many caregivers Dr. Brian Dixon, pharmacist staff, Wilbur Hacket and Hope King Amedisys Hospice especially Tracy Danser, Jessica Black and Norma Rohozen. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV on Sunday, July 10 from 2-4 and 7-9p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday, July 11 from 9-11a.m. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11:00a.m with Rev. David Tomer officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.