DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Former Brown & Buckeye Bill Willis dies.

Passing of a legend
Steve King, Staff Writer
11.28.2007

When you look at Browns head coach Romeo Crennel, it's hard not to think of Bill Willis.

Ditto for when you look at assistant coaches Dave Atkins, Wes Chandler, Mel Tucker, Alfredo Roberts, Anthony Lynn and Randy Melvin.

Ditto for when you look at Jim Brown, Paul Warfield and Kevin Mack, all of whom starred for the Browns and now work for them, and at Reggie Langhorne and Hanford Dixon, other ex-Browns who now analyze the team for a Cleveland TV station.

For without Willis, there might not be Crennel and those assistants now with the Browns, and there might not have been any of those players with the team.

Willis helped pave the way for the arrival of all those African-Americans with the Browns -- and in the NFL in general.A Hall of Fame middle guard with the Browns from their inaugural season of 1946 through '53, Willis is recognized as the first African-American player of the modern pro football era.

He died on Tuesday night in his native Columbus, Ohio from complications due to a stroke suffered several days ago. He was 86.

Willis loved the Browns to the very end and was ecstatic -- actually teary-eyed -- when Crennel was brought in, in 2005.

"To think that I have lived to see the day when my old team hires an African- American coach -- to think that I have lived to see all that progress from back when I played until now -- makes me overjoyed," he said. "I can't tell you happy I am, and how proud I am."

His pride was legitimate and heartfelt. It comes from the abuse he suffered first at Columbus East High School, then at Ohio State, where he was the school's first African-American All-American in football and a member of the Buckeyes' first national championship team in 1942, and finally in the NFL, where he was a key cog inthe Browns five league championships and eight league title game appearances in as many years.

Despite all that -- despite the fact he should have revered far and wide -- he was instead scorned by many because of the color of his skin.

"I can't say enough good things about Bill Willis," his former Browns teammate, standout wingback Dub Jones (1948-55), said from the construction business he still helps operate in Ruston, La. at the ripe young age of nearly 83.

"I remember when we went to Miami in 1946, Bill and Marion Motley (who was signed by the Browns just two weeks after Willis in August 1946 mostly to serve as the former's roommate) couldn't ride in the same train that we did. They had to find other travel arrangements for them.

"They felt the pain of all those things. Actually, I should say we -- all of us on the Browns -- felt the pain of those things. But they silently endured it, and in doing so, they did more for people of their race than those who were much more vocal.'

Jones continued, "For years now, I've heard Jackie Robinson this and Jackie Robinson that. While I have all the respect in the world for what he did, the fact of the matter is that Bill Willis, Marion Motley and the Browns are not getting their due. Bill and Marion played with us the year before Jackie Robinson went to the Brooklyn Dodgers. He did all the things that Jackie did, before Jackie did them."

As Jones pointed out, the presence of Willis, and then Motley, hastened the arrival to the Browns of other African-American players such as punter Horace Gillom at a time when the vast majority of All-America Football Conference and NFL teams hadn't even considered breaking their own color barrier.

Leo Murphy, the trainer of the Browns from 1950-88, is like Jones in that he remembers how Willis never fought back at his detractors, showing extreme class -- and restraint.

"Bill was not only a fine football player, but also a fine gentleman," he said from his home about 25 minutes south of Cleveland in suburban Medina.

Yes, a fine football player indeed. And fast.

"Bill was so quick that by the time the center had snapped the ball to the quarterback, he was in the backfield," Murphy said.

True story.

"I remember our first practice with the Browns in 1946," Browns Hall of Fame wide receiver Dante Lavelli (1946-56) said with a laugh from his furniture and appliance business -- yes, he's still working, too, at 84 -- in suburban Cleveland's Rocky River. "Bill actually beat the ball back to the quarterback."

But, points out Jones, Willis had more than just speed.

"Bill was 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds and looked skinny," he said. "But he was a tremendous athlete. He could run the 100 in under 10 seconds and had a lethal physique -- and I mean a lethal physique.

"People talk about what a great physique Jim Brown had when he played, and he did. But I coached Jim Brown (he served as offensive backs coach for the Browns from 1963-67), and in all due respect to him, I'm here to tell you that Bill Willis had a physique that you just couldn't believe. Like I said, it was lethal.

"Bill had the respect of everyone on our team, no exceptions."

It was more than respect, however, according to Lavelli.

"I've known Bill -- and been friends with Bill -- for over 65 years," he said. "We came to Ohio State together in the fall of 1941, we played together on the national championship team in 1942 and we came to the Browns together in 1946 and were teammates there for a long time.

"I remember when I first met him at Ohio State. Here was this big, strong-looking kid with a huge E on his sweater for Columbus East, and we've been great friends ever since."

Willis' passing leaves only six players left from the Browns' first team 61 years ago.

"Yeah, the days go by," sighed Lavelli, who, like Jones and Murphy, say he's feeling "pretty good, everything considered."

Willis is survived by his three sons, Bill Jr. and Clem, both of the Columbus area, and Dan of Atlanta. His wife, Odessa, passed away in 2002.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Link


R.I.P. Bill

Also


It was just over three weeks ago when Ohio State retired jersey No. 99 in honor of football legend Bill Willis. But it has been reported in the Columbus media Tuesday evening that Willis, a Columbus native and the school's first African-American player chosen as an All-American, has passed away. He was 86.

It has been widely reported in Columbus this evening that Ohio State football legend Bill Willis has passed away. He was 86.

It was just 24 days ago that Willis was humbled as his alma mater retired his uniform No. 99 at halftime of the Nov. 3 game with Wisconsin. Willis was a three-year starter playing both offense and defense at OSU between 1942-44.

Willis, a graduate of Columbus East High School, was a devastating blocker on offense and a punishing, relentless tackler on defense, despite his willowy 6-2, 215-pound frame. Willis earned All-America honors in 1943 and 1944 (Ohio State’s first-such African-American honoree), and was a key part of the Buckeyes’ 1942 national championship squad.

Willis went on to a distinguished career with the Cleveland Browns (1946-53); he is considered to be one of the first African-American starters in professional football. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

“Bill Willis is the ultimate Buckeye. His record of accomplishment on the field and the class and dignity he exudes exemplify the qualities of Ohio State. He is the consummate gentleman,” OSU athletic director Gene Smith said in announcing that Willis' jersey would be retired. “Recognizing his career and legacy as an athletics pioneer by retiring his jersey number is a way to salute not just the Willis family, but the Buckeye program overall.”

Willis, who is retired from his career as director of the Ohio Youth Commission, is a member of the Ohio High School, Ohio State Athletics, College Football and Pro Football halls of fame. Willis, celebrated his 86th birthday Oct. 5, lived in the Columbus area up until his death.

“Bill Willis is an inspiration to all Buckeye fans and football fans in general,” said Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel earlier this year. “His career was unparalleled and the class he has always demonstrated is extraordinary. It has been an honor to get to know Mr. Willis.”

Willis’ No. 99 jersey will be retired from service after the 2008 season. Other Ohio State retired numbers since 1999: Archie Griffin (45); Vic Janowicz (31); Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (40); Les Horvath (22); Eddie George (27); and Charles “Chic” Harley (47).

“It’s great to see Bill’s number retired. He is certainly an icon, and his achievements have been a pinnacle at all levels of football. The recognition is very deserving,” said Griffin, president of the Ohio State Alumni Association.

Link

RIP Bill, you will be fondly remembered.

R.I.P. Bill....


I'm not comfortable with articals hinging on race, it bothers me to think people still judge by the color of thier skin I'm not naive enough to know it dosnet still happen all the time, but to me it's the color of Bill Willis helment I'm concerned about and were proud it was Orange...

R.I.P Bill ; A pioneer for sure !

I'm glad OSU honored him this season.. a fitting tribute to a great football player for the Bucks and the Browns.

RIP Bill.

RIP Bill

Thought this was a nice tribute to Bill Willis. Click the video in the upper left and you'll see a very nice tribute to him. He broke the color barrier.

Nice tribute that any Browns fan should enjoy.

web page

Loss of a legend

At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Willis was small by pro football standards in 1946, yet he performed in a class by himself, particularly on defense for the Cleveland Browns.
>> HOF coverage
>> Official team site COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio State spokesman says Hall of Fame football player Bill Willis died Tuesday evening.

Willis played guard with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and also was Ohio State's first black football All-American. He was 86.

School spokesman Steve Snapp says Willis had been battling a short illness. Snapp was notified of the death by one of Willis' sons.

Willis was an All-American in 1943 and 1944. He had his No. 99 jersey retired at halftime of the Wisconsin-Ohio State game on November 3rd at Ohio Stadium.

Willis had a distinguished career with the Browns from 1946 to 1953, where he helped to break the color barrier in professional football.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

It's good he was able to see his number retired at OSU......RIP #99

great video about this on NFL.com

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8049c7a2

they talk to romeo, braylon and jason wright.

jason wright sounds like a VERY smart guy, he is very well spoken.

Bill was one of the first defensive Superstars of the league.

He was finishing up as I became a young fan, but his memory is strong.

RIP Bill.

Great article.
A true Brown to the core...
Rest in peace Mr. Willis.

damn, I got all teary eyed reading this and I never even saw him play, but I know what he means to the legacy and history of this team in particular and professional football in general.

Rest in Peace Bill... you lived a marvelous, enviable life.