- Date Of Birth: November 2, 1952
- Date Of Death: January 26, 2022
- State: Colorado
Virgil “Willis” Helmick passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2022, in Cortez, Colorado. Willis was born in Monte Vista, Colorado on November 2, 1952, to Virgil and Velma Helmick who preceded him in death.
The family moved to Canon City, Colorado in 1957 when Willis was 5 years old. Growing up Willis developed a love for anything fast or on 2 wheels, and the great outdoors, which later became a lifelong obsession with hunting and fishing that he passed onto his 3 boys.
Willis graduated from Canon City High School in 1971. Shortly after graduating, he went to work for Canon Supply Co. where he learned and mastered sheet metal fabrication and HVAC. During his time with Canon Supply Co. Willis met Dan Brixey who became a lifelong friend and mentor. Dan encouraged Willis to apply to the Canon City Fire Department and he was brought on as a volunteer in 1976. In 1978 Willis became a full-time paid firefighter, or “smoke eater” as he called it. In 1982 Willis was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During his career with the CCFD Willis specialized in swift water recovery and diving. He truly loved being a firefighter and was always calm, collected, and extremely practical in times of crisis. Willis mentored and made many lifelong friends during his time with the fire department. He would plan several excursions a year with his fellow fireman: horseback adventures into the backcountry, 4-wheeler trips to his cabin outside of Crested Butte, boating in Lake Powell, or fishing and hunting trips throughout Colorado and Alaska. After 28 years with the CCFD Willis finally decided to retire in 2005. After retiring from the CCFD Willis continued to work, performing sheet metal fabrication and HVAC through the successful business he created and operated since the late 80s, known as W&H Sheetmetal.
Willis loved to joke around, there was not a prank he wouldn’t pull at the firehouse or anywhere else, he always kept things fun and interesting at work and home. Willis also loved and lived for wheeling and dealing, he rarely lost in negotiating the terms. Willis also thoroughly enjoyed watching Bronco games and riding his motorcycle. Above all, he was always there to help relatives and friends with projects or whatever else anyone needed of him.
Throughout Willis’s life, the outdoors is where he called home, hunting and fishing were so much more to him than an interest or hobby, especially hunting! He lived a life most outdoorsmen dream of, being dropped by plane in the northern Brooks Range of Alaska to take a grizzly bear or float trips on the rivers of Alaska with his brother Steve to kill moose and caribou, catching king salmon in Talkeetna AK, silver salmon in Valdez, AK, or halibut in Seward, AK. Then encompassing the Colorado Rockies (which he called “the high lonesome”) for rifle or archery hunting bull elk and mule deer. From goose hunts in Canada to pheasants and whitetail deer in Kansas. Hunting wild boar from Florida to Texas, fishing Lake Powell to east Kansas, and everywhere in between. His best friend Gator was by his side for most all these yearly trips, he lived life to the fullest! He is and will be dearly missed by his close friends, family, and most all that knew him, especially by his 3 sons.
Willis is survived by his three sons, Aaron Helmick of Canon City, CO, Nathan (Jennifer) Helmick of Canon City, CO, and Hunter Helmick of Canon City, CO; grandchildren, Dylan Johnson, Brooke Helmick, Kolby Helmick, Ariana Helmick, and Blaze Smith; brother, Steve Helmick of Fairbanks, AK; sisters, Janet Valderrama of Peoria, AZ and Delores Filley of Denver, CO; along with several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Larry Helmick and Glen Helmick; his sister, Linda Cool; and his parents, Virgil and Velma Helmick.
