William Joseph Welu (July 3, 1932 – May 16, 1974) was an American professional bowler, executive for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), bowling broadcaster, and ambassador for the sport. A founding member of the PBA in 1958, he won four PBA titles, including two USBC Masters (then known as the American Bowling Congress) championships.[1] He was only the second bowler in history to successfully defend a United States Bowling Congress Masters title, winning the event in 1964 and 1965 to join Dick Hoover (1956–57).[3] The feat was not matched again until Jason Belmonte won back-to-back Masters titles in 2013–14.[4]
Welu was born to Frank Joseph Welu (1895–1983) and Gertrude Mary Welu (1896–1964); he had a sister Patricia.[2] He graduated from St. Thomas University and later received a master's degree in education from Saint Louis University.[1] He played for the short-lived National Bowling League (NBL) in 1961–1962. Aside from his two Masters titles, Welu won the 1959 BPAA All-Star (predecessor to the U.S. Open), four ABC championships, and two other PBA titles. He was named an All-American seven times. A 1999 edition of Bowlers Journal ranked him No. 22 among the greatest bowlers of 20th century.[citation needed]
Known for his folksy Midwestern speech pattern and easygoing personality, Welu spent several years as an analyst alongside broadcaster Chris Schenkel on ABC's Saturday afternoon telecasts of the Professional Bowlers Tour. He was posthumously inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.[citation needed]
^ abcBilly Welu, Bowler, Dies; On ABC‐TV Sports Staff. New York Times (May 18, 1974)
^ abWilliam Joseph “Billy” Welu. findagrave.com
^Randy Pedersen on ESPN broadcast of the USBC Masters final, February 15, 2009
^Jason Belmonte Becomes First Player in Nearly 50 Years to Successfully Defend USBC Masters Title, pba.com, February 23, 2014.
Association offers the BillyWelu Memorial Scholarship for college bowlers. Wikimedia Commons has media related to BillyWelu. BillyWelu, Bowler, Dies; On...
Scalia 1966 Bob Strampe 1965 BillyWelu 1964 BillyWelu 1963 Harry Smith 1962 Billy Golembiewski 1961 Don Carter 1960 Billy Golembiewski 1959 Ray Bluth...
commentators were Chris Schenkel and then-active bowling star BillyWelu. On May 16, 1974 Welu died suddenly of a heart attack. For the remainder of the 1974...
American straight pool player, and women's champion in 1946, died of cancer. BillyWelu, 41, American professional bowler and commentator, winner of the American...
Don Carter, Frank Esposito, Buzz Fazio, Matt Lebhar, Carmen Salvino, BillyWelu, Glenn Allison, Steve Nagy, Harry Smith, Ray Bluth, Dick Hoover, Bill...
prominent bowlers (including Don Carter, Dick Weber, Dick Hoover, Buzz Fazio, BillyWelu, Carmen Salvino and Glenn Allison) after they listened to a presentation...
Ruston Webster, Scout for the Atlanta Falcons Kip Wells, baseball player BillyWelu, professional bowler Reggie White, football player Alfred Williams, football...
became the first person to win back-to-back USBC Masters titles since BillyWelu in 1964–65. Anthony Simonsen has since repeated this achievement in 2022–23...
American (2011–2013), receiving the Professional Bowlers Association’s 2012 BillyWelu Scholarship. She was also named Northeast Conference Bowler of the Year...
Football Tom Weiskopf Golf Johnny Weissmuller Swimming David Wells Baseball BillyWelu Bowling Jerry West Basketball Jo Jo White Basketball Reggie White Football...
5th seed, defeating every rival in the championship stepladder final. (BillyWelu won back-to-back Masters in 1964–65.) This was Belmonte's ninth PBA title...
Saturday afternoons. His broadcast partners on the PBA telecasts included BillyWelu (through 1974) and Nelson "Bo" Burton, Jr. (1975–97). Schenkel and his...
third Masters title. He became just the fourth player (after Dick Hoover, BillyWelu and Jason Belmonte) to successfully defend a title in this event. Along...
a member of the Falstaffs of St. Louis with the likes of Harry Smith, BillyWelu, Dick Hoover, Buzz Fazio and Steve Nagy. In 1958, he was one of 33 bowlers...
de Varona, O. J. Simpson, Mark Spitz, Digger Phelps Pro Bowlers Tour – BillyWelu, Nelson Burton, Jr. MLS on ESPN – Alexi Lalas, Kyle Martino, John Harkes...
original commentators were Chris Schenkel and bowling star BillyWelu. On May 16, 1974, Welu died suddenly of a heart attack. The search for his replacement...
the play-by-play announcer while the color analyst was bowling great BillyWelu. In 1979, CBS Sports Spectacular broadcast a ten match tournament during...
Biondolillo Houston, TX $1,955 5 Fred Lening Fairless Hills, PA $1,715 6 BillyWelu St. Louis, MO $1,590 7 Joe Joseph Lansing, MI $1,475 8 Glen Blakesley...
men including Don Carter, Frank Esposito, Dick Weber, Carmen Salvino, BillyWelu, Steve Nagy, Harry Smith, Ray Bluth, Dick Hoover, Glenn Allison and Junie...
continually." On July 17, 1960 the NBL held its first draft, selecting BillyWelu first (Miami), and Don Carter second (Fort Worth). Later rounds selected...
making him the first person to successfully defend a Masters title since BillyWelu in 1965. The "PBA League" team tournament was held for the second straight...
Agee (1) Indianapolis PBA Open Play Bowl Indianapolis, Indiana May 15–18 BillyWelu (1) PBA Tournament of Champions Play Bowl Indianapolis, Indiana May 19–20...
Allison (4) Mesa-Phoenix Open Country Club Bowl Mesa, Arizona Sep 17–20 BillyWelu (2) Oxnard PBA Open Tournament Bowl Oxnard, California Sep 24–27 Glenn...
Global Information