Bobby Helpinstill

Bobby Helpinstill was born on December 1, 1937, in Rusk County to Edwin Lewis “Jack” Helpinstill and Mary Lea Riddle. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 11, 2025, at his home in Upshur County surrounded by family. He spent most of his childhood in Laneville, Texas. After he graduated from Laneville High School, he joined the Army and served in Korea. Along with his business partner Robert Childress, he established East Texas Acoustical and installed ceilings and floors across the area for over 60 years. He branched out to other businesses, including Helpinstill Christmas Tree Farm and the general store in Laneville. The duct-tape on the spine of his Bible was a testament to how much he tried to understand the scriptures, and he did his best to live by example. In his earlier years, he served many roles in the Laneville Methodist Church including youth group leader and treasurer. Since 1995, he regularly attended Brumley Baptist Church where he taught the adult Sunday school class for many years with a down-to-earth delivery that showed how to use the lessons in daily life. For both churches, he did whatever needed doing, from mowing, to cleaning, to changing light bulbs. Bobby was known for his generosity of spirit. He was always busy serving others, from coaching his daughters' softball teams, to volunteering on several boards, including the Laneville School, Sharon Water Supply, and being a founding member of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. One of his biggest joys was supporting young people and bringing out the best in them. He loved taking the kids cow hunting in the woods and driving them in the back of the truck on terrifyingly fun rides. He brought laughter to any situation. He would do just about anything for a joke, including telling lies, starting ridiculous rumors, and performing very very amateur magic tricks. Even in his final days and some of the hardest moments, he was cracking us up. Even when he was not working, he was still busy most of the time. As a young man, he raced go-karts competitively with his dad as the mechanic, and he was a catcher in a semi-pro baseball league. Up until almost the very end of his life, he was still fishing and hunting, gardening and bush hogging on his tractor, and always ready to shoot hoops with anyone willing to take him on. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary Helpinstill, and by his sister Jacque Hopkins. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 30 years, Glenda, and his children, Saro and Ty Helpinstill, Sally Helpinstill, Wesley and Corinna Speer, and Clint Speer. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Malachi Mann, MacKenzee Speer, Wyatt Speer, Sadie Mann, and Vanessa Speer, as well as one great-grandchild Michael Malachi Mann. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Gideons or PrimeCare Hospice of Longview, or consider giving an act of service to your community. Funeral services for Bobby Helpinstill, 87, of Brumley, Texas, will be held in the chapel of McWhorter Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The Family will receive friends at 10:00 am, and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Simpsonville Cemetery. Please visit Bobby’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Bobby Helpinstill

December 1, 1937 - October 11, 2025