Obituary of Billy Edward Helms, Sr.

Billy Edward Helms, Sr., 93, widower of Virginia Rodgers Helms, died Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Columbia. Born in Donalsonville, Georgia, he was a son of the late Jessie A. Helms and Rinnie Rosada Baker Helms. Mr. Helms was a member of Providence Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Clevenger Business College and served four years in the U. S. Air Force. He retired from the S. C. Air National Guard with 20 years of service and later retired from Cooper Tools with 18 years of service. Surviving are one son, Billy E. Helms, Jr. and wife Karin; one daughter, Joye Barrs and husband Mike all of Sumter; one brother, Bobby J. Helms and wife Geneva of Daleville, AL; one sister, Yvette Reeder of Tallahassee, FL; five grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Judy Faye Helms and Patty Helms Truett; three sisters, Evelyn Pritchard, Marie Anglin, and Ruby Jackson Graveside services will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Mitch Towery officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to7 P.M. Friday at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the home of his son, 4850 Ribbon Road, Sumter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MUSC Children’s Health Cancer Care, 10 McClennan Banks Drive, Charleston, SC 29425. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.