Surnames: Helm, Wilson, Morrison, Williams Earl G. Helm, 77, a resident of The Dalles, died at the local hospital on Sunday, February 24, 2002. He was born December 20, 1924, in Byron, Wyoming, the youngest of five children to Joseph Edward and Mary Elizabeth Hettie (Wilson) Helm. He grew up in Wyoming then enlisted in the Navy, serving as a radio tech from June 1943 to January 1947, in the Philippines. After the service, he attended Business College in Billings, Montana. In 1960, he moved to The Dalles to work at Harvey Aluminum and retired from Martin Marietta in 1985. He was best known for his love of Halloween and Christmas, decorating his home, near the Fort Dalles Museum, for every holiday, even Super Bowl Day and Fort Dalles Days, he loved them all. Every Halloween, he would create a spook house where every child would receive a glow stick for their wrist and handful of candy. Christmas brought his display of trees, Santa, reindeer, the Grinch, stars and thousands of twinkling lights. His biggest enjoyment was watching so many people enjoy his yearly displays. His life was also filled with creating beautiful displays of plants and flowers. In the spring, he planted hundreds of flowering plants and throughout the summer cared for over 250 hanging baskets and flower boxes. In 1991, he was awarded the Home Beautification award from the Mid Columbia Realtors; in 1992, he was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars "Patriot Citizen" award for his daily display of the American flag and in 1998, he was asked to participate in the Hood River/Wasco County Master Gardner's tour. He is survived by his sister, Anna Morrison, Louisville, Kentucky; many nieces and nephews including his niece, Bette Jo Williams, Oak Harbor, Washington and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary and brothers, Clarence and Max, and his closest friend Francis "Gil" Gilkerson. A gathering of family and friends will be held at his home, 514 W. 16th Street, from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. Private cremation was held at The Dalles Win-quatt Crematory with Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2120 First Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109 or the Oregon Heart Association, 1425 NE Irving, # 100, Portland, Oregon 97232-4201 The Dalles Chronicle February 26, 2002 Written permission to reprint obituary given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon. Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser