Local legend Bobby Willis decided to retire from officiating after 44 years of service in the Lowndes County area.
Since 1972, Willis has served our local communities with the utmost integrity in officiating.
However, his officiating nearly cost him his life.
Seven years ago, Willis was officiating a football game between Lee County and Thomas County Central. During the game, Willis was knocked to the ground by a player whose momentum carried him into Willis’s body. An unknown bone spur in Willis’s neck punctured his spinal cord after he hit the ground, which effectively paralyzed him from the neck down.
After a stint in the hospital, Willis began intense physical therapy, and he is now able to fully function as he did prior to the injury.
Willis is a man of many stories and had many to tell us as we sat down with him. We wish him the best in his retirement.
To view Bobby Willis’s full story, click here.
Quote: “It’s been a blessing to work with the kids and coaches all these years,” Willis said. “Some of the coaches have become great friends, and they even called when I was injured; some coaches will call at the beginning of the year to ask questions about things like rule changes. It shows a certain level of respect. Even the fans have been great over the years. At the end of the day, I believe that God knew what he was doing when he placed me here, and I thank him for everything that he has done for me.”
In the Game Sports Network / South Georgia Magazine / Dec – 2016
Bobby Willis / Lowndes
#5 Top Story of the Year The Final Countdown: A Local Legend Set to Leave the Field
Written by James A Washington
Summarized by Zack Pine
Photo by Marque Milla Reese
Published in the October 2016 Edition
