By KWGS News
Tulsa, OK –
Tulsa businessman and philanthropist Walter Helmerich III has died. He was 88-years-old and had been in ill health.
His father founded the family's oil and gas business, Helmerich and Payne, in early Oklahoma history.
Walt joined the family business in 1950. He married move starlet Peggy Dow after meeting her at a Hollywood party. 1964 his firm purchased Tulsa's Utica Square and transformed it into an upscale shopping center.
In 1974, he was kidnapped and held for $750, 000. He was freed later the same day and attended a son's basketball game that evening.
He and his wife donated millions of dollars to the betterment of the Tulsa community. He is survived by his wife and five sons.
You can hear an interview with Helmerich at the oral history website, voicesofoklahoma.com