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.
[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.