Donnie Williams Passes Away in Mansfield, Ohio

ibuycues

ibuycues

I Love Box Cues
Silver Member
Donnie Williams,of Mansfield, Ohio passed away yesterday.

I grew up in a small town in Ohio (Crestline) with Donnie and played tons of pool with him. He played great one-pocket, and snapped off many a road player in his time. Friendly, gregarious, a natural leader, a top flight woofer and always in action. Loved by everyone.

He moved from Mansfield to Las Vegas and for decades was one of the top money winners on the strip as a top card player. Wow, could he play gin.

We went to the Joe Burns tournaments in Dayton together several times in the early 1970's and he would get in both pool and card games that would last "forever".

Rest in peace, Donnie, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Will Prout
 
ibuycues said:
Donnie Williams,of Mansfield, Ohio passed away yesterday.

I grew up in a small town in Ohio (Crestline) with Donnie and played tons of pool with him. He played great one-pocket, and snapped off many a road player in his time. Friendly, gregarious, a natural leader, a top flight woofer and always in action. Loved by everyone.

He moved from Mansfield to Las Vegas and for decades was one of the top money winners on the strip as a top card player. Wow, could he play gin.

We went to the Joe Burns tournaments in Dayton together several times in the early 1970's and he would get in both pool and card games that would last "forever".

Rest in peace, Donnie, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Will Prout
Click to expand...

My condolences go out to his family and friends. May he Rest in Peace.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Dang, Will. I didn't know Donnie but please accept my condolences for the loss of your friend. This is happening way too often. :( Thanks for the post and again, very sorry.

Dave
 
Its hard to lose a Buddy. I know how you feel at a time like this. How old was he if you don't mind me asking.
 
Sorry for your loss. Crestline Ohio brought back some memories. I lived in Galion, Ohio (7 miles away) in the early 70s, but moved away to Texas when I was 11, so this was my pre-pool days. Sounds like I was there at the wrong time and missed out. I recall that Jay Helfert had some stories of the pool scene in Ohio from those years, too.
 
Gallon

beetle said:
Sorry for your loss. Crestline Ohio brought back some memories. I lived in Galion, Ohio (7 miles away) in the early 70s, but moved away to Texas when I was 11, so this was my pre-pool days. Sounds like I was there at the wrong time and missed out. I recall that Jay Helfert had some stories of the pool scene in Ohio from those years, too.
Click to expand...

Rhoda and I were married in Galion in 1969, and our first apartment was a block off the square.

WP
 
ibuycues said:
Donnie Williams,of Mansfield, Ohio passed away yesterday.

I grew up in a small town in Ohio (Crestline) with Donnie and played tons of pool with him. He played great one-pocket, and snapped off many a road player in his time. Friendly, gregarious, a natural leader, a top flight woofer and always in action. Loved by everyone.

He moved from Mansfield to Las Vegas and for decades was one of the top money winners on the strip as a top card player. Wow, could he play gin.

We went to the Joe Burns tournaments in Dayton together several times in the early 1970's and he would get in both pool and card games that would last "forever".

Rest in peace, Donnie, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Will Prout
Click to expand...

I didnt know Donnie, but that doesnt matter as were all a giant pool family here at AZbilliards, when one hurts we all hurt a little (atlease thats the way i feel about this kinda situation, as iam sure most if not all do).

ThIS is one bad thing about getting older, so many of are family and friends are leaving us at a very fast pace it seems.

Take care CUES, i hope the best for you and Dons family.

Time will ease all pains, but will never take them away!
 
Donnie Williams

1on1pooltournys said:
Sorry for your loss Will.
Click to expand...

He was a true action magnet, a cross between Strong Arm, Keith and Scooter.

A real gentleman and friend, one of the real gems of North Central Ohio. Played guys like Ted Elias, Johnny Jacket, Paul Schofield, Emil Glocar and all the roadies. His speed was not quite top A- level, but his gamble and heart made him a winner against many top guns in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, etc... And amazing at cards action......
 
Last edited:
Sad

"I am saddened to hear of your friends passing. Your comments reflect how great your friendship was, and if Donnie could see your comments he would be smiling. I will remember your thoughtful and heartfelt post, and wish you well "

Those words can not be improved upon, they are your words to me when I lost my best friend John O'Neil. I go back and read them often. I am sorry for your loss and will say a prayer for you and your friend.
Frank Orteca
 
Wow...seems like every day someone else is gone. Thanks, Will, for passing on the sad news.

When I owned my poolroom, Cue-Topia, in Las Vegas, Donnie was a regular. Since it's probably been twenty years since I've seen him, I've tried to remember a particular incident involving him but the only thing I can come up with is remembering how he just seemed to laugh all the time. Donnie loved life & loved to hang out, shoot the bull & play a little pool. He was a pretty decent player & had plenty of gamble. Not surprisingly, his game of choice was one pocket.

As I knew him first from the poker room as a dealer, once he found out I played a little pool, he was always trying to match me up with other unsuspecting poker players. To our mutual & everlasting regret, it never happened. I think it was because of Donnie's reputation - triple sharp. No one wanted to tangle with anything he was involved in.

Here's a photo from the night of my '88 Cue-Topia Grand Opening. My friend, Gene Catron ("The Mighty Glove"), stopped by on his way to Los Angeles for an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show to set up his trademark pool balls & dominoes spanning four pool tables followed by his trick shot show. Took him almost two days to set it up & once he triggered it, was over in five minutes. This was taken after the festivities. On the left with Donnie & I is another Vegas rounder & regular opponent of Donnie, the late Rex Cannon.

RIP, Donnie...it was fun, wasn't it?!!!

Mary Kenniston
 

Attachments

  • Rex Cannon, M Kenniston & D Williams - '88 Cue-Topia grand opening - LV, NV.jpg
    Rex Cannon, M Kenniston & D Williams - '88 Cue-Topia grand opening - LV, NV.jpg
    55.8 KB · Views: 408
Sorry to hear this! I first met Don at the Holiday International Casino here in Las Vegas. It was located in downtown Las Vegas where Main Street Station is now. It was 1980 & I had been dealing poker at the Nevada Palace, but they closed down. Don & I had a mutual friend & he said I should go see Don about a job. I did & Don told me to come back in a couple of days & he would hire me. Ended up getting the flu & was sick for about 10 days. When I did go back the poker room had been closed down!!! The casino closed down shortly after that.

Saw Don off & on after that through the years at not only poker tournaments but also pool tournaments. Don was a very good poker player & had won 3 WSOP tournaments. His nickname was the "Best Unknown" poker player. Really nice guy. RIP, Don.
 
franko said:
"I am saddened to hear of your friends passing. Your comments reflect how great your friendship was, and if Donnie could see your comments he would be smiling. I will remember your thoughtful and heartfelt post, and wish you well "

Those words can not be improved upon, they are your words to me when I lost my best friend John O'Neil. I go back and read them often. I am sorry for your loss and will say a prayer for you and your friend.
Frank Orteca
Click to expand...

Frank,

I hope all is well. Thanks for the nice note.

Will
 
Thanks!

nightmare said:
Wow...seems like every day someone else is gone. Thanks, Will, for passing on the sad news.

When I owned my poolroom, Cue-Topia, in Las Vegas, Donnie was a regular. Since it's probably been twenty years since I've seen him, I've tried to remember a particular incident involving him but the only thing I can come up with is remembering how he just seemed to laugh all the time. Donnie loved life & loved to hang out, shoot the bull & play a little pool. He was a pretty decent player & had plenty of gamble. Not surprisingly, his game of choice was one pocket.

As I knew him first from the poker room as a dealer, once he found out I played a little pool, he was always trying to match me up with other unsuspecting poker players. To our mutual & everlasting regret, it never happened. I think it was because of Donnie's reputation - triple sharp. No one wanted to tangle with anything he was involved in.

Here's a photo from the night of my '88 Cue-Topia Grand Opening. My friend, Gene Catron ("The Mighty Glove"), stopped by on his way to Los Angeles for an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show to set up his trademark pool balls & dominoes spanning four pool tables followed by his trick shot show. Took him almost two days to set it up & once he triggered it, was over in five minutes. This was taken after the festivities. On the left with Donnie & I is another Vegas rounder & regular opponent of Donnie, the late Rex Cannon.

RIP, Donnie...it was fun, wasn't it?!!!

Mary Kenniston
Click to expand...

Mary,

Thanks for the great picture of Donnie. He always looked like a country western guy that should be holding a guitar!

I saw Donnie in Cue-Topia in approx July, 1995 at the time of the BCA trade show. There was some scheduled action, and when I went to your poolroom, I ran into Donnie. First I had seen him in about 10 years. He was a bit grayer, but still full of gamble!

Will Prout
 
Last edited:
nightmare said:
Wow...seems like every day someone else is gone. Thanks, Will, for passing on the sad news.

When I owned my poolroom, Cue-Topia, in Las Vegas, Donnie was a regular. Since it's probably been twenty years since I've seen him, I've tried to remember a particular incident involving him but the only thing I can come up with is remembering how he just seemed to laugh all the time. Donnie loved life & loved to hang out, shoot the bull & play a little pool. He was a pretty decent player & had plenty of gamble. Not surprisingly, his game of choice was one pocket.

As I knew him first from the poker room as a dealer, once he found out I played a little pool, he was always trying to match me up with other unsuspecting poker players. To our mutual & everlasting regret, it never happened. I think it was because of Donnie's reputation - triple sharp. No one wanted to tangle with anything he was involved in.

Here's a photo from the night of my '88 Cue-Topia Grand Opening. My friend, Gene Catron ("The Mighty Glove"), stopped by on his way to Los Angeles for an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show to set up his trademark pool balls & dominoes spanning four pool tables followed by his trick shot show. Took him almost two days to set it up & once he triggered it, was over in five minutes. This was taken after the festivities. On the left with Donnie & I is another Vegas rounder & regular opponent of Donnie, the late Rex Cannon.

RIP, Donnie...it was fun, wasn't it?!!!

Mary Kenniston
Click to expand...

Great pic Mary. Rex was one of the all time smartest gamblers. Donnie was a top poker tourney player back then. I played One Pocket with him in your place and at the Cue Club for 100 a game. A big bet for me but practice for him. :rolleyes:

Donnie was a great guy, always fun to hang around. I knew he had been in poor health for some time, kind of dropped out of the poker scene. He left his mark, that's for sure!
 
Thats very sad news, i remember him from Vegas in the early 90's. He made a big score $150K in a poker tourney one time, saw him play lots of one hole as well. Good guy.


EDIT: Great pic Mary, table 16 with Rex, wow that was a great time in pool.
 
Last edited:
Will.. sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.. many prayers to you and to his family.. it sounds like he lived a full life and everyone has alot of fond memories to remember him by...

chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top