Bill Willis Death
Bill passed away on November 27, 2007 at the age of 86 in Columbus, Ohio, United States.
When did Bill Willis die?
November 27, 2007How old was Bill Willis when died?
86Where did Bill Willis die? What was the location of death?
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Bill Willis Birthday and Date of Death
Bill Willis was born on October 5, 1921 and died on November 27, 2007. Bill was 86 years old at the time of death.
Birthday: October 5, 1921
Date of Death: November 27, 2007
Age at Death: 86
Bill Willis - Biography
William Karnet Willis (October 5, 1921 – November 27, 2007) was an American football defensive lineman who played eight seasons for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL). Known for his quickness and strength despite his small stature, Willis was one of the dominant defensive football players of the 1940s and early 1950s. He was named an All-Pro in every season of his career and reached the NFL's Pro Bowl in three of the four seasons he played in the league. His techniques and style of play were emulated by other teams, and his versatility as a pass-rusher and coverage man influenced the development of the modern-day linebacker position. When he retired, Cleveland coach Paul Brown called him "one of the outstanding linemen in the history of professional football". Willis was also one of the first African Americans to play professional football in the modern era, signing with the Browns a year before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
