Player

High School: Reading, Class of 1957

College(s): None

Deceased: July 2004

Background: Willie was a 6-3 forward at Reading High and their first All-State pick in 1957. He led the Red Knights to two Central Penn League championships and two District 3 titles. He averaged 14.2 points and 14.0 rebounds per game as a senior and led Reading to the PIAA semifinals with his tenacious defense. In 1957 his 14 RPG was tops in Pennsylvania under coach Bill Horine’s slow-down style of play. Willie was a playground legend, known affectionately as the ‘king of summer pickup games’ at the Front and Shiller playground. Willie moved to Prince George County in Maryland and was employed by the US Postal Service. He was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.