Obituaries
Judge Bill L. Helm
Judge Bill L. Helm, 79, passed away on March 5, 2004 in Yuma. He was born in Penalosa, Kansas on December 21, 1924.
Bill graduated from the University of Kansas in 1946, and the U of A law school in 1950. He also served in the US Army.
He practiced law in Chandler, Arizona from 1950-1952. Bill then served as Deputy County Attorney for Yuma County, and served as County Attorney from 1955-1960.He went into private practice from 1961-1976. Bill was a Yuma County Superior Court Judge for 16 years serving from 1976-1992.
Bill was a member of the Yuma Elks Club as well as the Yuma Lions Club. He was also a Delegate in 1956 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and served as Yuma County Democratic Chairman 1959. He was host to John F. Kennedy when he paid a visit to Yuma in 1960, during this visit, he flew with Kennedy to Phoenix for a meeting with other county chairman.
Bill is survived by his wife, Elaine Helm, of Yuma; sons, Gordon J. (Margot) Helm, of Annadale, Virginia; and Walter L. (Shirlee) Helm, of Bard, California; stepdaughter, Leslie (Scott) Kramer, of Casa Grande, Arizona; stepson, Brian Carter, of Seattle, Washington; brothers, Clarence Helm, of Kingman, Kansas, and Bob Helm, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and sister, Wanda Chaypool, of Penalosa, Kansas. He is also survived by five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Norman Lee Taylor
Norman (Norm) Lee Taylor, 74, passed away on March 4, 2004 in Yuma. he was born on June 4, 1929 in Morton, Washington, the eldest of five children born to Noah and Thelma Taylor. Growing up, Norm loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and working in the woods as a logger with his father and uncles.
Norm graduated from Chehalis High School in Washington with honors. He was class Valedictorian and voted 'Most Likely to Succeed' by his classmates. Norm served in the US Army, spending time in Germany and returned home after his four years of duty.
Norm owned and operated Norman L. Taylor Logging and Cherokee Trucking Company in Centraila for many years. He logged many areas in southwest Washington until the mid 1970's.
Norm married Thelma Frogner-Rhyner in 1988. They lived in Adna, Washington and traveled to Yuma in the winter months. They enjoyed traveling and spending time together. Norm and Thelma owned and operated Norms Cactus World in Yuma.
Norm was a warm and good hearted man. He will be missed by his family and many friends.
Norm is survived by his wife, Thelma; children, Tim (Taylor) McLeod, of Billings, Montana, Kim Gomez, of San Jose, California, Joe Taylor, of Gresham, Oregon, Rick Smethers, of Pennsylvania; and sister, Marion (Bob) Russell, of Rochester, Washington.
Norm was preceded in death by his father, Noah Taylor; mother, Thelma Taylor; son Greg Taylor; and sisters, Judy Johnson, Doloris Birchell, and Jean Reed.
Reymond Verne Martinez
Reymond Verne Martinez, 43, of Yuma passed away February 29, 2004 . He was born February 1, 1961 in Lynwood, California.
Reymond is survived by his sons, Rey Jr. and Anthony of Glendale, Arizona; daughter, Danielle of Texas; father, Reymond of Yuma; mother Anita of Mesa , Arizona;sister, Danna Elliott of Gilbert, Arizona; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services are pending.
Wayne William Ursuery
Wayne Ursuery, 85, of Red Bluff, California entered eternal life on March 4, 2004. He was born February 1, 1919 in Paris, Texas.
Wayne is survived by his two daughters; Marilyn Pearson and Carolyn (Walter) Reiger of Yuma, Arizona; grandchildren, Ronda (Bobby) Hunter, Pat (Cyndee) Pearson, Candi (Ross) Chapa, Steve (Ramona) Cronin; five great-grandchildren. Other family members include sister, Ester Atchley of Yuma; brothers; Cecil and Clotis of California and Dennis Ursuery of Utah. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Bob Pearson and grandson Jeffery Cronin.
Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers is handling arrangement including cremation. His final resting place will be Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, Ariz.
