William G. Helis Sr.

William George Helis Sr.
Born	(1886-10-17)October 17, 1886 Tropaia, Greece
Died	July 25, 1950(1950-07-25) (aged 63) Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Resting place	Metairie Cemetery
Occupation(s)	Oilman, Racehorse owner/breeder, Racetrack owner
Known for	Helis Stock Farm
Spouse	Bessie Felch
Children	4
Awards	Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame (1991)

William George Helis Sr. (October 17, 1886 – July 25, 1950) was an impoverished Greek emigrant to the United States who made a fortune in the oil business and who became a major owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses and racetrack owner. In his obituary, the Pittsburg Press called William Helis "one of the amazing figures of the American oilfields."[1]

A resident and legal domicile of New Orleans, Louisiana,[2] William Helis died at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. His remains were brought home to New Orleans where he was interred in the Metairie Cemetery.[3] His mausoleum was built by American architect and sculptor, Albert Weiblen.[4]

In 1991, William Helis was posthumously inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame.[5]

William George Jr. became managing partner of his father's various oil properties and was also heavily involved in Thoroughbred horse racing.[6]

References

1. Pittsburg Press - August 10, 1939
2. United States Tax Court record from Loislaw.com, Inc.
3. Sanmarcousawordpress.com Eternal homes: In New Orleans' historic cemeteries
4. Tulane University - Southeastern Architectural Archive Collection 39
5. Fair Grounds Hall of Fame
6. https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954060301/drf1954060301_6_4