Walter Jerald “Sonny Boy” Helms passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Jerald was born to Walter and Edna Helms of Sweetlake, La in 1934. He attended Bell City High School and graduated from San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, TX. He graduated from McNeese State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also played football and was a member of the MSU ROTC. Jerald was a Field Artillery Specialist with the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Ok. He was a Battery Commander 82 A/C at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. Jerald managed Helms Farm and Ranch. He was a life long member of Sweetlake United Methodist Church and baptized in 1935. He was a charter member of Farm Bureau and was one of the founders of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association. He joined the Gideon's International, a free Bible distributing organization in 1972, also was a member of the Calcasieu Cattlemen’s Association. He was a 34th Scottish Rite Mason for more than 50 years and a Shriner of the Habibi Shriners. He was a member of the Hebert-Helms Corporation/Trust and was a commercial Ag pilot. He was appointed by the governor to be on the Coastal Conservation Zoning Commission and he served on the parish drainage board. Jerald never met a stranger and always made his presence known.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Nona, children: Cindy Helms Pedersen (Mark), Thomas B. Helms, Susan Helms Cart (Rusty), Kimberly Hebert, Julie Woodcock (Lloyd), 10 Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Grandchildren.
Jerald is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Edna Helms, his sister, Barbara Helms Stone, and grandson Matthew Gilles LeBlanc.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles and resume at the funeral home, Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 8:00 am until time of service. Funeral Service will be held at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles at 10:00 am.
Rev. Ed Lemke and Rev. Mel Yorks will be officiating. Burial will be at the Sweetlake United Methodist Memory Garden Cemetery at 5201 Hwy 397 Bell City, La. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com
