Don Willis...Any memories anyone???

M

Mr. J

Jeff Jimenez
Silver Member
Since we are all discussing past Giants and Greats, I was reminising about this Past Champion and was wonering if any of you knew him or witnessed his abilities. I believe that there is a famous quote from Luther Lassiter about Mr. Willis " If I had to choose a player to shoot a shot my life depended upon, then I would choose Don Willis." Please post any stories about this Champion who we should all know and never forget...

Thank you,

Mr. J.
 
I'd have to dig in my pool library, but I believe he was a player from the '70s who used to hang out and go to tournaments with a guy named Paulie Jansco. Don Willis also used to hustle pool on the road with Cowboy Jimmy Moore and always had a pocket full of money. He played all games, including cards, and played cards well. ;)

JAM
 
Don Willis

Mr. J said:
Since we are all discussing past Giants and Greats, I was reminising about this Past Champion and was wonering if any of you knew him or witnessed his abilities. I believe that there is a famous quote from Luther Lassiter about Mr. Willis " If I had to choose a player to shoot a shot my life depended upon, then I would choose Don Willis." Please post any stories about this Champion who we should all know and never forget...

Thank you,

Mr. J.
Click to expand...

Willis was one of the best hustlers in the country for many years. Road partner with Lassiter for about 12 years, he busted many well known champions and road players. Here is a good article about him

http://www.gcaba.com/willis.htm
 
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Those are some very nicely written articles, and I loved the pictures.

On one of the links, I read the pool bio of a very young Troy Frank!

Thanks for sharing! :)

JAM
 
Don Willis In Los Angeles

Mr. J said:
Since we are all discussing past Giants and Greats, I was reminising about this Past Champion and was wonering if any of you knew him or witnessed his abilities. I believe that there is a famous quote from Luther Lassiter about Mr. Willis " If I had to choose a player to shoot a shot my life depended upon, then I would choose Don Willis." Please post any stories about this Champion who we should all know and never forget...

Thank you,

Mr. J.
Click to expand...
In the mid 60's I was going to college nights and used to go downtown LA & play a little pool. Dean Chance was there with this obnoxious chunky guy who wouldn't keep quit and was badgering everyone in the place to gamble at something. Dean talked me into playing the guy some 9 ball for $10 a game. I only had around a $100 on me and I got beat and the guy never ran out. After I quit I heard they were going to Hollywood and Western. Hollywood Billiards was full of top players in the 60's and when I got there nobody would play this guy. I asked one of the sweaters who he was and he said "That's Don Willis, the best player the other side of the MIssissippi. The only reason he isn't the best player here is he never comes here. Evidently Don & Dean Chance were old friends and were out here to see the World Series at Dodger Stadium. I'm lucky I didn't have more $$ on me cause he would have got it all. JOHN HENDERSON
 
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