William "Bill" Marvin Helmick, Jr.

United States Army, Ret.

William “Bill” Marvin Helmick, Jr., 86, of Lebanon, PA passed away peacefully at his beloved farmhouse surrounded by his three daughters and the love of his entire family on February 9, 2022. Born October 19, 1935 in Fishersville, Virginia, Bill was the eldest son of the late Rosa Marshall Helmick and Marvin Helmick. He was married for almost 40 years to the love of his life and mother of his daughters, the late Lois Wooddell Helmick.

Bill attended Green Bank High School in Green Bank, West Virginia and joined the Army at 17 years old. He worked his way up to rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and had an illustrious career as an Army officer. He proudly served as a member of the United States Special Forces/Green Beret, Army Ranger, 82nd Airborne and was a weapons specialist and trained in jungle warfare. He and his family were stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina for the majority of his 20-year Army career, when he was not deployed. He served in Korea, Okinawa and four tours in Vietnam. Bill was the epitome of an Officer and a Gentleman with his unselfish, faithful and devoted service to our nation. He received numerous honors and medals for his bravery, including the Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal 5th Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, National Defense Service, United Nations, Vietnam and Korean Service Medals.

Bill was honorably discharged and retired from the Army in 1973 and he and his family moved permanently to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Bill worked for Hauck Manufacturing in Cleona for approximately ten years prior to becoming the Veteran’s Employment Representative for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry until retiring in 1997. He was recognized by the Governor and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Secretary’s Recognition numerous times for outstanding performance, as well as being honored by the National Guard for referring the most veterans to the National Guard, setting a record in the state. Bill was awarded The Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award in recognition of his service to all people regardless of race or faith. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of A. F. & A. M. Phoenix Lodge No. 8, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 81, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 23 of Lebanon, Friendship Fire Company and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, Pop-pop, brother and friend to everyone. His humble personality and his kindness were witnessed by all, including strangers. Anywhere he went with his family, someone complimented his politeness. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a large garden that supplied the entire neighborhood, family, friends and his office with many home-grown fruits and vegetables. He could build or fix anything and always had a shed full of tools and items; if you needed something, he had it.

He purchased a cabin in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania in 1994 where he and his family and friends enjoyed being together with nature. He was a great sportsman and loved hunting, fishing and trapping. He taught his daughters how to shoot and swing a hammer and he devoted his time and energy teaching his grandchildren how to shoot, fish and respect wildlife and the outdoors.

He was predeceased by his parents and first wife, and his loving step-mom, Leta McLaughlin Helmick who raised him from a small boy; his brothers Harry and Robert Helmick and his sisters, Anna Frances Helmick and Frances Lee Helmick Murph; and his second wife, Roberta Tyler Helmick. He is survived by his sister Jean Bocook and husband David of Rockingham, VA; his three daughters, Toni Sharp and husband John of Etters, PA; Terri Quinn and husband John of Horseshoe Bay, TX and Tracey Kreider and husband Tim of Lebanon, PA; Eight grandchildren – Sara (Kodi) Hockenberry, Andrew(Brooke) Sharp, Amy (Kyle) Smith, Johnny (Amanda) Quinn, Daniel (Ginny) Quinn, Madeline, Katherine and Caroline Kreider and 12 great-grandchildren: Blake and Logan Hockenberry, Liam, Loralyn, Livia and Lyla Sharp, Penelope and Anna Smith, Whitt and Guy Quinn and Amelia and Oliver Quinn. He is also survived by numerous beloved family members and treasured friends.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 757 Willow Street, Lebanon with Pastor Lynn Hackman officiating. Prior to the service, the viewing will take place at the church at 9:00 A.M. Graveside service will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville at 11:30 A.M. with Father Anthony Dill officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Bill’s name to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc., 1117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. www.pawoundedwarriors.org To share your fondest memories of Bill, please visit www.rohlandfh.com. Arrangements by Rohland Funeral Home