Billy Lois Helmes, 87, passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at the North MS Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Billy was the widower of Dora Mae McCullough Helmes.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21,  in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 prior to the service. Interment will be held at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville. Rev. Derrick Simmons will officiate.

Billy was born in Lambert  to the late Jimmie Lois Helmes and Jewel Etoyle White. He was a retired mechanic and a member of Enon Baptist Church. Billy enjoyed sight-seeing and Sunday drives. He also liked tinkering with things. Taking them apart and putting them back together.

The loving family he leaves behind includes his sons, Terry Helmes (Melissa) of Courtland, Billy “Buster” Helmes, Jr. of Batesville; siblings, Dorothy Nell Roberson of New Albany, Bobby Helmes of Batesville, Jimmy Dale Helmes of Pope; two grandchildren, Brandon Helmes, Brittany Helmes Kyle; and one great grandchild, Killian Kyle.

In addition to his parents and loving wife Dora, Billy was preceded in death by five siblings, Margaret “Bit” Sides, Ginger Helmes Gray, Teresa “Sissy” Moore, Kyle Helmes, and Tony Helmes.