Willie was a self-described autograph hound. He was in a continuing pursuit of sports activities autographs. He had some of the wonderful and complete autograph collections on this planet.
He was simply 56 years previous. Like me, he began accumulating sports activities playing cards within the Nineteen Seventies and by no means stopped. He first began attending card exhibits across the similar time I did within the late Nineteen Seventies. Willie often is the final particular person I do know that was a card-carrying member of the previous Chicagoland Sports activities Collectors Affiliation, which was an exquisite group that ran three card exhibits a 12 months on the previous Hillside Vacation Inn in suburban Chicago by the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties. They introduced the primary Nationwide to Chicago in 1983.
Willie was a full-time sports activities card/autograph supplier these previous 25 years that I knew him — although he was at all times extra of collector than a supplier. Along with sports activities playing cards and autographs, he was massive into classic non-sports playing cards.
Like our pal Dell, I met Willie on the previous Fred Copp Sports activities Card exhibits within the Chicago space. Actually, Willie and Dell had been two peas in a pod — extraordinarily shut buddies.
I keep in mind when Dell opted to arrange on the Rolling Meadows present as an alternative of Fred’s exhibits in Schaumburg some 20-plus years in the past, Willie would cease off on the Rolling Meadows present on his method to Schaumburg, cling with Dell, then arrange in Schaumburg and spend half the present on the cellphone with Dell. I beloved each of those guys and was so fortunate to know them.
Fred’s exhibits had been usually fairly small. Apart from Fred, Willie was the most effective supplier within the room at each present. Folks got here to see him like he was the Pope. He actually had followers that will crowd his desk at each present.
I’ve met a whole lot and a whole lot of sports activities card sellers over time and might attest that Willie had the most effective disposition of all of them. He was so affected person with prospects. He was joyful to evaluation autographs for authenticity at no cost. He would evaluation collections. Something anyone introduced in.
Then there have been some prospects I’d simply thrust back. Not Willie. He was a a lot better particular person than me. I keep in mind this one present of Fred’s, possibly 20 years in the past, the place a buyer needed to buy a card from Willie however solely had a large jar of pennies by which to pay. I’d have instantly stated no. Willie, then again, spent an hour or so with the man counting out the pennies. He at all times chuckled after I reminded him of that one.
I used to be lucky to spend so much of time with Willie. We regularly went to Russell’s Barbecue or Portillo’s after Fred’s Schaumburg exhibits. We went out to lunch on a regular basis after many alternative exhibits. I keep in mind grabbing lunch with Willie in April of 2015 in Elgin after one in every of Corky’s previous exhibits. We discovered this good spot subsequent to the lodge. Willie’s meals regarded so good that I took the picture beneath. That is him carrying that Rams sweater. We additionally often went to lunch in Milwaukee after I first began my present on the Clarion Lodge greater than 10 years in the past, two Chicago guys exploring Milwaukee delicacies.
I used to be so grateful any time I obtained to see Willie. Again in 1999, my spouse and I bought our first residence on the Northwest Facet of Chicago, not removed from the place Willie lived. I used to run into him within the neighborhood on a regular basis — I beloved it!
I feel the final time I noticed him was on the Bridgeview present in January. I used to be shocked I didn’t see him on the March Sports activities Spectacular. It might have been the primary Sports activities Spectacular/Solar-Instances present the place I didn’t see Willie in 25 years.
I had an inkling one thing was mistaken when he didn’t attend the February Woodstock present. Willie nearly at all times attended that present. Then Scott, a classic set builder who additionally attends the Woodstock present, informed me that he had been making an attempt to fulfill up with Willie to buy some playing cards however Willie saved placing it off saying he was not feeling properly.
A bunch of men stated that Willie regarded like he was struggling on the March Sports activities Spectacular and didn’t stroll the present. One other pal of Willie’s informed me he had been hospitalized for weeks earlier than he died. I’m so sorry, Willie.
What a loss. Man, I simply beloved that man. I regarded ahead to seeing him each time we made plans or attended a present collectively. I consistently texted him photographs of autographs that I used to be desirous about buying at exhibits. He simply needed to look at an auto to find out whether or not it was actual or not. He at all times gave me free recommendation on autographs. I attempted to at all times purchase lunch as reimbursement.
Man, I simply cannot consider it. Willie, Dell, Skip… so many nice buddies I’ve made at card exhibits have died not too long ago. I want it will cease. Please keep wholesome everybody.
I contacted Willie’s sister who’s understandably struggling together with his passing and has not made any plans but for a funeral or celebration of life. If I study something, I’ll submit it right here.
Willie, I can not consider you’re gone. I’m so coronary heart damaged. I’ll miss you buddy. Thanks for being a tremendous pal.
My condolences to Willie’s household and buddies. We misplaced an absolute gem of an individual.
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