ALVIN F. WILLERS
Athlete
Al graduated from Slinger High School in 1942. In high school he won recognitions and set
records playing football, basketball, and track. Upon graduation he received an athletic
scholarship for basketball and baseball from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. World War
II interrupted his college education when he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps and went to
officer candidate school at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he played baseball. His
next assignments were to Camp Lajecine, North Carolina and then to Quantico, Virginia where
he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Al served in the South Pacific and Japan receiving
an honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Al then entered the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, winning basketball and baseball letters.
In his senior year, he was elected treasurer of Kappa Delta Physical Education National
Honorary Fraternity, Vice President of Phi Epsilon Kappa National Honorary Fraternity in
Physical Education, and Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. He graduated with
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education in 1949.
After graduation from college, Al moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin and taught physical
education and coached basketball with great success. He supervised the recreation
department baseball leagues expanding the league from 27 teams to 113 (1954-1960). He
earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Education in 1953. He organized the American Legion
baseball team in Sheboygan which honored him in 2001. The Diamond Club Sheboygan Old
Times Hall of Fame honored him in 1992.
After being diagnosed with M.S., Al changed careers. He earned a Master’s of Science Degree
in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and became a
Guidance Counselor at Horace Mann Junior High in 1967. High retired in 1986. Al was a
member of the following: St. Luke United Methodist Church, Elks Club, Old Times Association,
American Legion, Retired Teachers Association, Wisconsin Education Association, National
Teacher Association, University of LaCrosse Alumni Association, and National W Club of
Wisconsin.
Al enjoyed reading, listening to big band music, sporting events, and posting slogans. His
favorite slogans were, “When things get tough, the tough get going” and “I had no shoes and
I complained until I met a man with no feet”.
Al passed away May 6, 2002 and is survived by his wife of 54 years Dorothy Foster Willers of
Phillips, WI; his daughter, Pamela Hollis, and grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan, and Tyler Hollis of
Atlanta Georgia.
Graduated 1942