Bill Helton's Personal Biography
I am the grandson of Anna Belle Dollie Moody Helton, a full Blood Cherokee born on the Cherokee Reservation. Great Grandson of Millie I Brimm Edwards, a full Blood Cherokee. My parents are Flossie Mae Russell Helton and the late Nathan Gerald Helton. I was born in Conway, Arkansas in January 1941 and am a life-long resident of Conway. I have been married since August of 1961 and have three (3) grown children and two (2) grand-children. I am a charter member of the Gideon’s in Faulkner County.
I attended Conway High School and the University of Central Arkansas. I am a Lifetime member of the University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association. I am also an active member in the Purple Circle Alumni Association. I am partner in the established Helton – Osburn – Spencer Athletic Scholarship which provides scholarships to deserving student athletes.
I worked for Conway Corporation for sixteen (16) years, resigning after being promoted to Equipment Supervisor to run my own business. I have been running a very successful business for forty-three (43) years and am a proud member of the Conway Chamber of Commerce. I am in good standing with Dun & Bradstreet. I have a wrecker & recovery service, full-service mechanical shop and U-Haul subsidiary. You may check out my business web site at www.heltonswrecker.com.
I was drafted into the U.S. Army and served eight (8) years from 1962 to 1969. One (1) year in infantry duty and seven (7) years in the 806th Construction Support Unit. I had three (3) military commendations and received an honorary discharge as a Specialist Eight Sergeant. I taught classes on plastic explosives, land mines and anti-personnel mines.
Past elected positions include Constable for the Cadron Township in Faulkner County, Arkansas for eight (8) years from 1977 to 1985. I was also an elected Justice of the Peace in Faulkner County, Arkansas.
From 1975 to 1983, I was on the Faulkner County Fire Committee to organize county wide fire departments. I served on the Wescon Fire Department Board for ten (10) years.
I was appointed to the Arkansas Towing & Recovery Board from 1990 to 1993, serving three (3) years as Chairman. During this same period, I was appointed to the Arkansas State Police Towing Board and helped establish new rules for towers on the State Police Wrecker Rotation List. I have served on the PTRAA Board, which is the Professional Towing & Recovery Association of Arkansas as their Political Consultant to the Arkansas State Legislature, as well as, their membership committeeman.
For several years, I have been a member of the Toad Suck Car Club of which I have been the club President since 2004.
I was a member of the Faulkner County Democratic Committee to elect President Bill Clinton, working on both his gubernatorial and Presidential campaigns.
I was appointed to the Lost Cherokee of Arkansas & Missouri Council. As a Councilman, I have since worked with Senator Gilbert Baker, Representative's Betty Pickett, Preston Scroggin and Robbie Wills to introduce legislation into the Arkansas Legislature to recognize the Lost Cherokee in Arkansas. I have met with various legislative committees in Little Rock about this bill. Both I and my brother Harold provided the funding for production and mailing of the Lost Cherokee Newsletter, as well as, paying for the secretarial services for the corporate office of the Lost Cherokee of Arkansas & Missouri for the past two (2) years. I was very instrumental in the writing of the Lost Cherokee Constitution. Also in a effort to facilitate a more productive election, I traveled to Deere and Marshall Arkansas, as well as, to Sulphur, Antler, Poteau, Shawnee and Bristow Oklahoma in order that the Lost Cherokee people could vote on the Lost Cherokee Constitution and Seal without having to personally travel to the Corporate office in Conway, Arkansas.
I feel at this time, it is time to fight for our people and what they stand for. Our forefathers had to give up their freedom to survive in this land and it is time to bring back our control and let people know we are still here.
