William C. Helliesen (Bill), 87, longtime resident of Reading, MA, passed away suddenly on December 25 while at his son's home celebrating Christmas. He was the devoted husband of Barbara P. (Powers) Helliesen who died in October of 1996.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 8, 1926, Bill was the youngest of 11 children of the late Haakon "Harry" and Gertrude (Byers) Helliesen. His high school years were interrupted by World War II when, even though underage, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served proudly on the USS Wyoming and was honorably discharged at war's end. Using the GI Bill he trained as a carpenter completing the apprentice and journeyman programs and becoming a construction carpenter. While working for different contractors he built many homes in Metro North area of Boston. In 1967 he went to work for the Gillette Safety Razor Company in South Boston. Over time he became the manager of both the carpenter and paint shops, a position he held until his retirement.
While in the Marines and on leave in Boston he met Barbara Powers and, two weeks later and with $72 in his pocket, the two were married. Over the years the two lived in several homes in the Stoneham and Reading area, moving to this current home in 1969. Bill and Barbara had five children, the youngest of whom was born with Downs Syndrome. Bill became an advocate for the Developmentally Delayed and was very active in the East Middlesex Association for Retarded Children (EMARC) serving as its president from 1970 – 1972. During this time he testified before the State during the development of Chapter 766, the first comprehensive special education law in the country. He continued his involvement through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and Retardation helping to acquire equipment for sheltered workshops as well as providing oversight for state programs.
Bill was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Stoneham, MA. He ran the Sunday School programs for many years, was an active member of Fortnightly, and served several terms on the vestry and as warden. In recent years he worshiped at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading and carried his faith with him.
Bill loved to socialize and walk and he combined these in his daily strolls through his neighborhood. His neighbors threw him a surprise 80th birthday party which he always fondly remembered. Quick with a joke and a story he shared many dinners with "the young marrieds" and their families. He loved to travel and crisscrossed much of our country by car and by plane. Trips to visit grandchildren in Dallas and California and siblings, nephews and nieces were always on his to do list. If he wasn't on a trip he was planning his next one.
In addition to his wife, Bill was predeceased by his oldest son, William James Helliesen in June of 1983. He is survived by his daughter, Tricia Patterson-Wilson and her husband Jeff of Riverside, CA; his daughter, Karen Furtado and her husband Joseph of Tewksbury, Ma; his son Walter Helliesen, and his wife Lyn of Exeter, NH; and his son Theodore (Ted) Helliesen of Stoneham, MA. He is also survived by his grandson Christopher Patterson and his wife Yvette of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; his granddaughter Erin Olson and her husband Scott of Dallas, TX; his granddaughter Meghan Aldrich and her husband Nathan of Brighton, MI; his grandson Andrew Helliesen and fiancée Sadie Mae Jensen of Exeter, NH; and his grandson Billy Helliesen of Exeter, NH. In addition he is survived by six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Monday, December 30, at 11AM. Funeral home visiting hours will be Sunday from 4-8PM. Burial with military honors will be held in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.
In lieu of flowers one may make a donation to the charity of their choice or to the Stoneham House Recreation Fund, 6 Fiske Ave, Stoneham, MA 02180. For information, directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com