Verle Burdette Helle was the eighth son born to George and Ida Helle. Ethel, his sister, stated that Verle was her room mate until Charlotte was born in 1921. He was introduced first to farming while growing to maturity, but he too took to the sawmill business. Verle was a prime age to be drafted and was inducted into the U.S. Army Engineers in June of 1941. His training was at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and Ft. Louis, Washington. He spent most of the war years patrolling along the Pacific Coast from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. All bridges along the coastwere mined in case of a Japanese coastal attack. In July of 1945, he was shipped to the Philippines. Near Eniwetok his ship passed a ship carrying his next younger brother back to the states. Verle was with the occupation forces of Japan until February of 1946 when he was discharged.

Charlotte: "Verle was one of these dashing handsome young men. Black eyes and gay, charming and a little more temper than Gail. Verle had a good friend, Bus White, son of the neighbor. They played jokes. Never any harm done, but always a gag here a joke there. I was very proud of my brothers. Verle and Hazel's two brothers had a band or orchestra. Verle and Bob Hendricks played violins, Verle a mouth harp along with violin, and Elmer the drums. Verle and Elmer were mischievous. We always say Verle was led a stray by Elmer. Hazel says it was visa versa. Really they never got into trouble, just had clean fun. Sometimes funny. Verle and Gene went into the service and World War II started. Eventually Gail went also. All three came back, although Pop passed away in 1943."

In 1946, after the war, Gene and Verle Helle, started Helle Hardwoods at Oregon IL.

Sheldon: "Verle had a great sense of humor. We had two neighbor boys, one named Athey and the other Pete. They lived close by and were together a lot. Verle got to calling them Ate and Pethey. They didn't think that was funny, but we did. There was never a dull moment when Verle was around. He was always fun to be around and fun to work with. I don't think anyone enjoyed life any more than Verle. Verle and Elmer and Hazel's other brother Bob played for dances. It was a country style orchestra. Verle and Bob played violins. Elmer played the banjo. They played old fasioned country style square dance music. Verle fixed up a harness out of wire to hold his mouth harp. It was hooked to his shoulders so he could play the mouth harp and the violin at the same time. He put on quite a one-man-show. These were such great days. While Verle was in Japan, to kill time, he somehow ended up going to a dance. It was a small country style dance like they used to have back home. He was facinated by one of the Japanese playing the violin like he had played before the war. Of course he couldn't speak Japanese and the Japanese couldn't speak English. However, the Japanese violinist seemed to see something in Verle's eyes, and seemed to be able to read his mind, and handed Verle the violin. Verle always played by ear, so he could play their music. He fit in just fine and played with the Japanese band for several hours. He said it was one of the most memorable events he had ever experienced while in the service."  (Sharon Bearce)