Lexington WWII veteran dies, daughter recalls his deep ‘bond’ with fellow soldier

Jim Hellard dodged death when he fought in World War II, but his daughter LaTonna Wilson told him it was OK to finally let go Saturday.

The 100-year-old was one of the few remaining World War II veterans, and he died in his hometown of Lexington.

“He had a very good long life honestly until a month ago. He was walking almost 100 feet with a walker, even at 100 years old,” Wilson said. “When they say they were the greatest, toughest generation, they meant it.”

Hellard died from kidney issues and fluid buildup, but “he was still rallying” in the days before his death, said Wilson, 65.

“Even his doctor .. said, ‘Technically, he shouldn’t be making it,’ and he still was,” Wilson said. “Until finally a minister said, ‘Have you actually told him it’s OK?’”

Wilson said she told him what a good life he had lived before he died.

“I had to remind him that he’d served his country well, he’d been a good father and raised a good family,” said Wilson, who directs sponsorships and events for Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

He and his German shepherd guard dog named Tiger made headlines when they returned home in 1946, and when Hellard celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2025.

At around 18 years old, the Versailles High School football captain was shipped from Central Kentucky to Europe late in the war.

“They were supposed to get like 24 weeks of training, and they got 12 or 15,” Wilson said. “And not only did they need him, they put him on the front lines immediately.”

The centenarian kept most of his bloody stories from his daughter.

He did tell her of the times he jumped on dead bodies and into foxholes to dodge fire. Another time, he raided a house of Germans and was held at gunpoint.

“Dad was a sergeant so he was the last out, and all of a sudden he felt a gun on the back of his head,” Wilson said, recalling stories her father told her. “They were having a conversation in German, Dad understood, about whether to kill him or not, and the other German convinced the one guy that he was more valuable by not killing him.”

Another U.S. soldier came in and rescued him from the predicament, Wilson recalled.

There are still war relics in their attic, she said.

Ralph Denson, Hellard’s 100-year-old best friend who fought alongside him, was more open to talking of the war, according to Wilson. It sometimes felt like they were the only ones who understood what each other went through.

“There have been wars, but that kind of war … There were so many countries involved, and so much that happened, and it’s an interesting piece of history that soon we’re not going to really have anybody to talk to about,” Wilson said.

At some point during Hellard’s one and a half years at war, he and Denson’s company were asked to choose whether to cross a bridge or enter a field underneath it. They crossed the bridge.

“Had they been in Company B, they’d be dead because Company B got sent out into this field and they were wiped out,” Wilson said. “They sent Company A across the bridge, then the bridge blew up, and they were stuck with the enemy.”

They got Bronze Star Medals for their service in the combat zone.

Denson, who declined to be interviewed for this story, cried when he learned his “brother” died, according to Wilson.

“They had this bond in their eyes when they looked at each other,” she said.

The two would call each other “rascals,” and tease each other over their dogs’ angst for each other.

“Ralph had some little ratty dog, and Dad’s German shepherd hated that ratty dog,” Wilson said.

Elise Hinchman, the chief operating officer of Sayre Christian Village, where Hellard lived, said he touched the lives of many people on the campus and was “a sweet and kind man who accomplished so much in his life.”

“They don’t make ‘em like that anymore,” Hinchman said.

Dale Adams, the community’s chaplain, will be the pallbearer. Allie Fishman, the life enrichment director, will perform at Hellard’s funeral services, according to Hinchman.

“He always had a story and a smile ready for anyone who walked in his door. He brightened the lives he touched through his music and even gave me quite a few tips on my guitar playing,” Fishman said. “I was honored to know such a servant.”

Wilson said his funeral will be “full military with a gun salute and everything.”

His visitation is Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington. The funeral service is Friday at 10 a.m. at the same location. Hellard will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2089 Versailles Road.

“I’m blessed I had him as long as I did, and I’m proud of him,” Wilson said. “I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore because these last few days were grueling, no question.”