Willie Munson, the heartbeat of pool in Milwaukee, useless at 84
Willie Munson was the heartbeat of pool in Milwaukee for the final 60 years.
As the one Black member of the inaugural class of the Wisconsin Billiards Corridor of Fame, Munson was extremely regarded and revered by his friends as the most effective pool gamers to ever exist.
Munson had small roles in Hollywood movies, together with “The Coloration of Cash” in 1986.
He died on the age of 84 from kidney failure on Jan. 17 whereas in hospice care in Oak Creek.
“He principally broke the colour barrier for pool gamers,” mentioned Jon Kramer, founder and president of the Wisconsin Billiards Corridor of Fame.
Munson traveled the U.S. showcasing his abilities all through the mid to late twentieth century, and in some components of the nation his race led to differential therapy.
Mary Ellen Nelson met Munson about 20 years in the past via her son, Will, a pool participant. Munson was a mentor to Will Nelson. Munson obtained so near the household that he referred to Mary Ellen Nelson as “mother.” Mary Ellen Nelson mentioned Munson would describe his experiences as a Black man in dominantly white societies.
“He typically needed to eat within the kitchen of a restaurant as an alternative of within the precise restaurant space with the remainder of the pool gamers or he had a scorching plate in his resort, the place he would cook dinner his meals as a result of he couldn’t be out as a result of he was a coloured man,” Mary Ellen Nelson mentioned.
Greg Manske mentioned Munson thrived off the chance to vary somebody’s thoughts, nonetheless. Munson used to inform Manske that he was the most effective buddy he ever had. It was Manske that took Munson in when he fell on arduous occasions within the mid to late 2000s. They’ve identified one another for 50 years.
“There could have been a spot he went to the place possibly Blacks weren’t welcome,” Manske mentioned. “However I can let you know that Willie was capable of work together with white folks all through this nation.”
Munson was so effectively appreciated and such a great pool participant that he would win cash off white gamers in these institutions after which be invited again to play extra as a result of folks simply wished to be in his presence, Manske mentioned.
“Generally when folks lose cash enjoying pool there’s arduous emotions,” Manske mentioned. “However he was a swish winner and loser, and he’s very effectively appreciated all throughout the nation by all races.”
Munson was a part of the Carver League, the unique all-Black pool league connecting north aspect taverns. He was within the league together with his buddy for over 64 years, French Griffin.
“Being Black wasn’t the most effective factor on the earth,” Griffin mentioned. “(Discrimination) by no means actually occurred in Milwaukee, everyone knew Willie and appreciated Willie in Milwaukee, it was when he went on the street.”
When pool participant Matt Daiber moved to Milwaukee in 2005, he knew instantly that Munson was the person to know. “You ask round who’re the most effective gamers within the space and his identify got here up instantly,” Daiber mentioned.
Munson was the most effective pool gamers in Wisconsin historical past and for those who mix that together with his “approachability” and “angle,” Munson might need been the best determine in Wisconsin billiards historical past, Daiber mentioned.
Daiber admits that he and Munson had been “adversaries” at first. Daiber thought it could be straightforward to earn some money off on Munson, and he was flawed. “I nonetheless had the toughest time beating him,” Daiber mentioned. “I couldn’t beat him. He was simply an all-around participant. He was masterful.”
Regardless of foes, Daiber and Munson grew so shut through the years, Munson requested Daiber to introduce him throughout his induction into the Corridor of Fame in 2018.
Mississippi boy who achieved success throughout the U.S.
Born to Jonnie and Juanita Munson in Columbus, Mississippi, on Aug. 17, 1938, Willie arrived in Milwaukee in 1948.
It turned obvious early on that Munson was an incredible pool participant, but in addition an incredible bowler. He labored at an area bowling alley throughout highschool and bowled a number of 300 video games, an ideal rating from getting strikes on 12 consecutive rolls.
After graduating from North Division Excessive College within the Nineteen Fifties, he labored for West Allis-based manufacturing firm Allis-Chalmers.
He started taking pictures pool at age 17, frequenting pool halls across the space.
Munson met and married his spouse in 1959 they usually had two youngsters, Frederick and Serita. It was round this time that Munson turned most interested by billiards.
Skilled pool participant and commentator Mark Wilson memorialized Munson in a Fb put up and famous a significant accomplishment in 1973, when Munson was among the many 32 greatest pool gamers in America when he participated within the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship in Chicago.
Munson didn’t have his greatest efficiency that event, however Wilson mentioned what stood out is how Munson dealt with himself in defeat. It’s one thing that Mary Ellen Nelson mentioned Wilson was identified for. “Anytime he misplaced, he was the identical particular person successful and shedding,” she mentioned. “He was very respectful of his friends. He congratulated folks once they gained and he didn’t flaunt his winnings.”
Though not receiving any display screen time, Munson suggested actors and supplied trick photographs for the 1980 movie “The Baltimore Bullet.”
Three years later, Munson completed runner-up within the 1983 World Sequence of Tavern Pool at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which roughly 57,000 pool gamers tried to qualify to compete.
“It got here down to at least one shot,” Daiber mentioned. “He made a soar shot on the 8-Ball however scratched, so he obtained second. … He possibly gained $10 (thousand) to $15,000, which within the early ’80s that was fairly good cash.”
Additionally in 1983 whereas in Roselle, Illinois, Munson gained extra notoriety when he defeated Dallas West, one of many best and most well-known pool gamers of all time.
Goes to Chicago to fulfill with Scorsese and Cruise
Due to his pool abilities and his movie credit score in 1980, Munson went to Chicago to fulfill with Hollywood icons Martin Scorsese and Tom Cruise in preparation for his or her 1986 movie “The Coloration of Cash.”
Not solely did he present recommendation to these engaged on the movie, together with famed actor Paul Newman, who gained the Academy Award for his reprisal of pool hustler Edward Felson, however Munson earned a bit half within the movie for himself.
“He was proud that he was requested to be there … he was honored about it,” Manske mentioned. “He mentioned he had enjoyable doing it and attending to see these stars was enjoyable.”
Munson had a background position, watching two actors play pool, however Manske mentioned anybody who knew pool would have acknowledged him. “Anyone that’s acquainted within the pool world would know that was him,” Manske mentioned.
Munson would go on to proceed his billiards profession after filming and in 1994 positioned third within the U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A number of of the most effective pool gamers within the nation had been a part of the event.
All through his profession, Munson positioned 18 occasions within the High 3 in Billiard Congress of Wisconsin occasions, he’s the highest general performer in BCW 9-Ball historical past, he gained the 9-Ball state championship in a number of states, and he racked up a number of championships regionally and nationally.
In 2018, he was one in all 4 folks inducted into the Corridor of Fame in its inaugural class.
In his later years, Munson spent a variety of his time taking pictures pool at Romine’s Excessive Pockets on the outdated location on North twenty seventh Avenue and West Wisconsin Avenue. The pool corridor now’s identified merely as Romine’s and is now positioned in Greenfield at 6125 S. twenty seventh St. Munson was a “non secular buyer” of each institutions, Manske mentioned. It wasn’t unusual to see Munson mentoring youthful gamers at Romine’s, Daiber mentioned.
Corridor of Fame to honor Munson
“I by no means noticed a hoop sport I didn’t like,” Munson mentioned repeatedly all through his life. On his digital profile on the Corridor of Fame, his quote is featured prominently.
Ring video games are extra of a social sport than the sternness of an expert match, Kramer mentioned. The time period “ring” is used as a result of a number of gamers alternate photographs and a cycle continues till somebody loses. The participant who pockets the ultimate ball wins the purse.
Throughout Wisconsin Billiards Corridor of Fame Induction Weekend later this 12 months, the place the Class of 2023 is introduced, Munson will obtain a hoop sport event in his identify for at the least this 12 months, president Kramer instructed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“He’s type of just like the Mount Rushmore of pool gamers for the state, undoubtedly a legend for positive,” Kramer mentioned. “We don’t have all the small print but however there will definitely be a particular occasion and a trophy in his identify,” including that the occasion “undoubtedly will likely be” a hoop sport.
Corridor of Fame weekend is tentatively scheduled to happen Oct. 6-8 in Appleton at The Mad Apple Burger & Billiard Co.
Munson additionally will likely be memorialized on Feb. 13 at his celebration of life. Family and friends are anticipated to attend, and a number of other of Munson’s friends will communicate in regards to the pool legend.
Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m., adopted by service at 2 p.m. at The Household Middle at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13037 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be directed to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Comply with him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.
