He had many problems with his health, including prostate cancer and Paget's disease. He remained in poor health after retirement. He began to have failing memory and confusion. At last, he was moved to a nursing home near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina On July 4, 2008, Helms died of vascular dementia at the age of 86. He is buried in Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.