Billy Goelz
Billy Goelz | |
---|---|
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
Died | November 20, 2002 Port Charlotte, Florida | (aged 84)
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Billy Goelz Sgt. Billy Goelz Stan Pesek[1] |
Billed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
Trained by | Lou Talaber[2] |
William Charles Goelz (January 3, 1918 – November 20, 2002) was an American
Early life
Billy Goelz was born to parents LeRoy and Ann Goelz (née Lubner) in Chicago on January 3, 1918. He graduated from Senn High School In Chicago and embarked on a career in professional wrestling soon thereafter.
Before entering the professional ranks, Goelz was an amateur wrestler in the city parks system and began professionally wrestling as a teenager.
Professional wrestling career
Goelz's wrestling career lasted over 35 years. He competed throughout the Pacific Northwest and Texas territories and spent the majority of his career in Illinois. In these territories, he held several NWA championships, including the Midwest Tag Team, Junior Heavyweight and Heavyweight Championships.[3] He was a two-time world champion in the NWA, having won the Junior-Heavyweight Championship twice in 1949, defeating Marshall Esteppe and Al William respectively. Goelz was a fan favourite and was popular among fans for his clean, technical style of wrestling.[2]
In the later part of his career, Goelz became a prominent figure in the offices of promoter Fred Kohler, working as a trainer for upcoming wrestlers, booking matches and eventually owning part of the territory. He wrestled his last match in 1971.[2] He was also the booker for Gypsy Joe.[4]
Later life and passing
A veteran of World War II, Goelz was a member of the
Championships and accomplishments
- National Wrestling Alliance[3][5]
- NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (two times)
- NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time)
- Midwest Junior Heavyweight Championship (four times)
- Midwest Heavyweight Championship (three times)
- Midwest Tag Team Championship (two times)
- Wisconsin Junior Heavyweight Championship
References
- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com.
- ^ ISBN 9781613218754– via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Billy Goelz".
- ISBN 9781462811724– via Google Books.
- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com.
External links
- Billy Goelz's profile at Cagematch.net , Internet Wrestling Database