Bessie was born and raised in Bloomington, IL. She married Richard Helphinstine and became an Air Force wife traveling the US and even Panama. They had 2 girls, Nancy (Kahl) and Jackie. In 1973, Richard retired from the Air Force and the family settled in Clearwater, where they remained. Bessie went back to her first career, Dental Assisting, once the family settled in Clearwater. She worked in private offices and then moved to work with the State of Florida where she retired. Bessie was a member of a sorority while Richard was in the Air Force, was a member of First Christian Church in Clearwater and spent many years participating in water aerobics at the Long Center. She loved her Scottish Terrier dogs, her ‘other children’, and her plants – she could make anything grow! She had one grandson, which she adored. Bessie is preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents (Howard and Lucille Williams), her brother (Tom Williams) and her youngest daughter, Jackie. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy, son-in-law, David, grandson, David J., her sister and brother-in-law (Miri and Steve Schreiber) and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.