Harold “Bulldog” Willis burst onto Kashmere Junior-Senior High School campus in 1960 as an enthusiastic, out-going and friendly student-athlete. It wasn’t long before his athletic abilities were clearly recognized by his coaches. The 1960-61 football season under the exceptional coaching skills of Melvin Jones, is when Harold emerged as a premier quarterback and captain of the junior high team. He would lead his team to co-champs with E. O. Smith Junior High School.
As Harold further his transitioned into Kashmere Gardens Senior High football program under the great tutelage of Coach Billie Matthews, he would rapidly serve notice to other teams in the city, after receiving Forward Times Newspaper first “Rookie Of The Year Award” and earned the name “The Wizard” from sportswriter C-Boy Vaughn.T he Houston Post Newspaper deem Harold (aka Bulldog) Willis “Rubber Arm” as he beat B.T. Washington and Phillis Wheatley on the strength of his passing as well as his legs and became the top quarterback in the city of Houston in 1965. Before graduating in 1965 as team captain, Bulldog would earn All-District, All-City and All-State honor his junior and senior season. Harold closed out his high school career quarterbacking the West All-Stars to victory. He threw the winning touchdown pass to the late Uriel “Sloppy Joe” Johnson as they defeated the East All-Stars 19-12 in PVILCA last All-Star game. After high school, he turned down numerous college offers and was drafted into the United States Army and would spend two years of active military duties. Harold would later become a husband and father to three beautiful children Ralph, Dior and Kesha Willis.
With 55 years of diligence, exceptional work ethics and good old-fashion hard work would earn Harold the respect of his community, friends, family and business associates. In his professional life he established his self – owned business Willis Demolishing and Disposal Company. He maintains contracts with the City of Houston, Police and Fire Departments. Willis has been recognized and awarded numerous commendation and humanitarian awards for his dedication, commitment, and voluntary service to the community. Harold is known as a work-a-holic, but in Willis spare time his wife of three years Jackie Smith-Willis makes sure he practices his two passions, which is traveling and enjoying life.
The Willis Family would like to thank the KFAA Committee on recognizing Harold for his incredible football accomplishments. It’s a true honor to be an inductee among so many great student-athletes and be chosen from an outstanding few.