Howard "Buddy" Helm

Howard “Buddy” Bennett Helm, 87, of Fayetteville, was called home to his Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at Washington Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. Born on January 10, 1924, to Dolph and Lena Carl Helm, Howard attended Prairie Grove Public Schools graduating in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served the duration of WW II with the 388th Bomb Group of 8th Air Force based in Suffolk, England. Howard was decorated with the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Six Campaign Bronze Star, including the French Liberation Medal for the Normandy Invasion and held the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Upon the receipt of his Honorable Discharge Howard enrolled in the University of Arkansas but after one year he transferred to and graduated from Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia in 1949. The sudden invasion of South Korea by North Korea, in June of 1950, interrupted Howard’s plans to attend Graduate School. Howard joined the Arkansas National Guard and was assigned to the 936th FA Armored Field Artillery Battalion as a 1st Lt. The 936th was activated by President Truman and landed in Korea on 10 February 1951, where it was assigned to I Corps. The 936th was the first Army Guard unit to actually engage the enemy in combat in March of 1951. Howard served his unit as its Adjutant, later becoming the Executive Officer of Battery B and ultimately was promoted to the rank of Captain and was appointed Battery Commander. Captain Helm rotated back to the U.S. in July of 1953, as one of three surviving officers of the original Battalion. Captain Helm was awarded Campaign Medals common to all members of the Battalion in which he served.

Upon release from active duty Howard served as a classroom teacher and ultimately progressed to the Superintendent of Farmington Public Schools (1957-1959). Later in his life, Howard worked for an accounting firm in securities, was a Bail Bondsman and is remembered by many as the highly compassionate and dedicated Chief Probation Officer of the Washington County Juvenile Court. Howard retired at 80 years of age after having served 10 years as Warrants and Extradition Officers for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Howard was an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church and was a long time member of Mt. Comfort Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville where he was loved by all.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Clara Belle Poole Helm, his older brother, Grady Helm, and his granddaughter, Stephanie Pruitt. Howard is survived by his daughter, Susie Mitchell Todd of Springdale; his sons, Walter “Spud” Mitchell and his wife Janet of Fayetteville; Cecil Helm and his wife, Loretta, of Fort Worth, Texas; ten grandchildren: Richard Bennett Ulrich and wife, April of Bentonville, Travis Ulrich and wife, Anita of Fayetteville, Bradley Mitchell and wife Tomo of Springdale, Kristen Mitchell Rogers and husband, Joe of Camden, Jamie Todd Thompson and husband Rocky of Springdale, Howard Helm of Bentonville, Ryan Helm of Gravette, Dustin Helm of North Ridgeland Hills, TX; Brandy Helm of Fort Worth and Ana Helm of Fort Worth, TX; 16 great-grandchildren and numerous beloved nieces and nephews and his three beloved sisters: Katie Sue Rieff and husband Jimmy, of Rogers, Elizabeth Ryker of Lawton, OK, and Sarah Ruth Morton of Tulsa, Oklahoma.


Honorary pallbearers are his faithful and supportive friends, Nick Goodwin, Lee Owen and the members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, officiated by Rev. Bob I. Mayes. A short reception will follow at the home of Travis Ulrich in Fayetteville. Thereafter an internment of remains, with military honors, will be held at Prairie Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, February 14, at the Fellowship Hall of Mt. Comfort Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Mt. Comfort Cemetery Association of Fayetteville; or The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, 7702 SW Regional Airport Blvd., Bentonville, AR 72712.