1.  Dionyssis Ithakissios
Bill, Cita and I were friends with Dionyssis at Purdue.  After we relocated to this area, Dionyssis decided to become a US citizen.  He needed two sponsors.  I was one and Bill agreed to be the other.  He generously gave his time to  preparations and even drove us to the Federal Courthouse in Baltimore for the application and the interview.  This shows how kind-hearted Bill was.

2.  Alberta Foulke
My mother enjoyed visiting Washington,DC.  On one occasion, I was out of the country.  Mom stayed with Bill and Cita.    Bill drove her downtown, gave her a tour of the Federal Reserve Board and other sights.  She was very grateful.

I first met Bill when I joined the Division of International Finance of the Federal Reserve Board in 1985.  Bill was a big presence.  He had strong views and he wasn’t afraid to express them.  His analysis was always well grounded and pointed towards big questions.  He was an important role model for me, and I think for other “young” economists of my generation.  I still remember the briefing he gave to the Federal Reserve Board just a few days after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August of 1990.  It was impressive because of the depth of analysis he could provide on a critical issue essentially in real time.  I remember feeling proud to be part of an organization that could perform at that level.

I had a strong connection to Bill for a couple of reasons.  My grandfather was an Army officer and he spent much of his career teaching at West Point.  My father grew up there.  My father was a petroleum geologist and he worked for Chevron for 35 years.  I’m an oil brat.  As an economist I had a background in modeling that was similar to much of the work Bill did at the Fed.

I last saw Bill just a few weeks ago at a going away party for another Fed colleague.  We had a great chat.  He seemed very much himself.

It saddened me greatly to learn of Bill’s passing.  I want to extend heartfelt best wishes to Bill’s family.  But I’m so glad that I got to know and work with Bill.  He was a tremendous person and a great friend.   

Lewis Alexander

Bill was my first and greatest mentor, starting 45 years ago in the then new field of econometric modeling. Although he soon left his first econometric job for greener fields at the Fed he remained my mentor and supporter for decades. After retirement we kept our friendship intact by playing golf and criticizing Larry Summers and Paul Krugman. He will be deeply missed.

They say a picture paints a thousand words...
I was fortunate to get to know Bill through many family gatherings and conversations. I am married to his Godson, Rob Santos. Two things come to mind, quite vividly this morning. His absolute presence in every conversation. He was genuinely interested in whatever topic, and though an incredibly intelligent man, never made one feel "less than". He listened, and responded. He was a man of character, for sure. 
The second thing...and of greatest significance...was to witness his pure love for his family. His beloved wife, Cita, and their son, Bryan. (And their four-legged family members, too.) 
My life is forever touched for knowing someone of his caliber. 
We look forward to sharing in the love and the healing on Saturday.


My most vivid memory of Bill arose more than 50 years ago when Bill was still a cadet.   It was a quarterfinal game in the 1966 NIT Basketball Tournament.   I was the manager for the team and was keeping the score book.  Shortly before we left for Madison Square Garden, we were listening to Howard Kocel who was saying that he did not want to disparage Army but he thought San Francisco would have an easy game.  Bill had to play center due the the mid-season injury to our center, Mike Silliman.  San Francisco had 3 players who made it to the NBA and were heavy favorites to win the NIT.  Bill was unstoppable that night hitting his first 10 shots from the floor and leading Army to a 19 point halftime lead which we did not relinquish.   

I will remember the supreme oil expert; a numbers-driven, bottom-line economist; tall in stature in more ways than one, sometimes gruff,  always a great colleague.  He shared some fame my way by including me in the Helkie-Hooper model of US trade flows--Thanks Bill!  You will be remembered and missed.

If only we could be half the person that was Bill Helkie!  Conversations with Bill on our basketball/golf trips I will treasure forever.
Rest my friend- you are one of the best of the best!
Al Doebert
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

OBITUARY

William Lawrence Helkie

17 August, 1944 – 5 May, 2019

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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