RIP Willie Munson..................

I heard a rumour…I was searching.
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Rest In Peace. Willie
 
I met Willie while working on a long project in Milwaukee back in the early 1990's. Lost a few dollars to him at Romine's High Pockets but always learned a lot while doing so. A true gentleman and was fun to play with. He will be missed I'm sure.
 
I was around 16-17 when I first saw Willie play. He was such an endearing person. Kind, quiet, and would doze in a chair between matches. He was past his prime then but he was still holding his own. Especially playing one pocket.

RIP Willie Munson. You are the first true legend I got to see play.
 
I hated hearing this news today...Willie was an old friend of mine, a great guy, and a great player ...we used to have some good One Pocket battles with each other back in the 80's-90's - it was Willie who gave me my nickname One Pocket Ghost...I will miss you Willie, we'll play some more when I get up there - in the meantime, play some banks with my old pal Freddy the Beard
👍
.......R.I.P. Willie.
 
Crap.

I grew up in Southeast Wisconsin. Willie and Frank (Sailor) Stellman were probably the first two notable players I ever knew well enough to offer a respectful “hi” to as a teen in the mid-70’s. Willie was always good for a nod, a smile, and maybe a punch on the shoulder in return. It doesn’t sound like much, but it sure seemed like a big deal back then…

RIP sir.
 
One of the good guys, kind, thoughtful and wonderful to be around.
Spent a few times hanging out and in play/competition.
He's from my neck of the woods, and I'm very fortunate to of crossed paths.
What a great smile.
His passing made me think of Louie Lemke, another midwestern boy whom I always enjoyed being with.
I know you are Resting In Peace.
Saint Peter ''rack em up''.
 
Nick8400 said:
I was around 16-17 when I first saw Willie play. He was such an endearing person. Kind, quiet, and would doze in a chair between matches. He was past his prime then but he was still holding his own. Especially playing one pocket.

RIP Willie Munson. You are the first true legend I got to see play.
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Banks.

Good grief, but he could bank…!
 
I don't recall ever meeting him but seeing his picture, I've definitely seen him before.

Condolences to his family and friends.
 
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Willie used to come to the Pro tournaments in Atlanta in the late 80s and 90s. He would often sit by my lathe and talk while he watched me work on cues. He was very pleasant to visit with. I saw him at the Expo playing the seniors event. We certainly lost an ambassador for our sport. He will really be missed.
 
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1 Pocket Ghost said:
I hated hearing this news today...Willie was an old friend of mine, a great guy, and a great player ...we used to have some good One Pocket battles with each other back in the 80's-90's - it was Willie who gave me my nickname One Pocket Ghost...I will miss you Willie, we'll play some more when I get up there - in the meantime, play some banks with my old pal Freddy the Beard
👍
.......R.I.P. Willie.
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I remember you two playing Bruce. What a nice guy we lost. I’m sorry buddy. He’s in great company with Freddie. RIP
 
David in FL said:
Banks.

Good grief, but he could bank…!
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One of the finest men I ever met in the pool world. Never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Willie was able to make a living for more than four decades playing pool, primarily as a tournament player, playing tourneys both big and small. That alone was a rarity back then. Yes, he did gamble if the opportunity presented itself.

We only played once. It was the Dayton tournament in the early 70’s. We were both young men back then, at the peak of our game. I played him in the Bank Pool division, an early round match. Even though I grew up playing in that pool hall (Joe Burns place), I was listed as coming from Bakersfield, CA.

Willie had no idea who I was and I only knew his name. What he didn’t know was that I had been schooled right here for years by some of the best Bankers in the country. I had a lot of confidence in my Bank game and had already beat several road men in my poolroom playing Banks.

Willie watched me warm up a little, while I was just getting a feel for the table, missing more than I made. I really didn’t know how strong he played. As we prepared to lag he casually asked me if I would like a small wager on the match. I declined at first, just wanting to concentrate on winning the match. But then he offered me five on the wire, and we were going to 23 (best of three racks). I couldn’t pass that up and asked him how much he wanted to bet, and he responded “How about 50?”

Our match started slow with some safety play, but it loosened up fast after I made the first long rail bank. I just got zeroed in and rained banks on him, hitting him with twos, threes and maybe a four or two. It was over fairly quickly with me winning 23-12. Willie looked stunned and I wasn’t sure if I going to get paid. I really didn’t know him and he was a big man.

I watched him put his cue away, not saying a word. Then he walked over to me with his hand out. He shook my hand and said “I had no idea you played that well.” In his hand was a fifty dollar bill.

From that day on Willie and I were friends and had many good conversations whenever our paths crossed and even shared a meal or two. I can’t tell you how many times he reminded me about our Bank pool match, laughing as he said he didn’t want any more of that.

I loved Willie Munson! I miss his smiling face right now. He was my friend.
 
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