William Charles Helvey, Jr.

September 4, 1942 - December 12, 2019
Surrounded by family, William Charles Helvey, Jr. died peacefully at his home in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday, December 12, 2019.  He is survived by his wife Julia, sons Howard (Brad Caldwell, Cincinnati, Ohio) and Harold (Columbia), and brother Gary (Lynna, Springfield, Missouri).
 William (Bill) Charles Helvey, Jr. was born in Taylor Township (southwest Missouri) in 1942 to William Charles Helvey and Alice Essary.  His early life was spent on a farm near Mt. Vernon, Missouri, where he graduated from high school in 1961.  He became a fine art photographer and professional artist, and was drawn particularly to rural and natural subjects, as well as portraiture and figurative work.  Although William painted and photographed throughout the nation for many decades, the state of Missouri especially provided him ongoing and endless subject matter.  He held degrees in education, studio art, and photography from Missouri State University in Springfield (BA, 1965) and the University of Missouri-Columbia (MA, 1970). An avid and gifted educator, he taught at Marshfield (MO) High School, Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO), Central Methodist University (Fayette, MO), and Stephens College (Columbia, MO), as well as adult and children’s classes in drawing, painting, and fine art photography.  William was a passionate 4-H leader, and judged photography for the Boone County Fair for forty years.
 He enjoyed extensive travel to collect subject matter for his artwork.  State and national parks, historic sites, and art museums were favorite destinations.  Other interests included aviation, reading, hiking, biking, cinema, and history.
 A celebration of life event will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in Rocheport, MO.

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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