Billy Goelz

William Charles Goelz (January 3, 1918 - November 20, 2002) was an American professional wrestler, booker and trainer who was a prominent competitor in the National Wrestling Alliance throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. He held 16 championships throughout his career including two reigns as NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and had perhaps his most memorable feuds with Verne Gagne, Gypsy Joe and Al Williams.[3] Goelz (along with Walter Palmer) contended to be the inventor of the spinning toehold.

Billy Goelz
Birth nameWilliam Charles Goelz[1]
Born(1918-01-03)January 3, 1918[1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 20, 2002(2002-11-20) (aged 84)
Port Charlotte, Florida
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Billy Goelz
Sgt. Billy Goelz
Stan Pesek[2]
Billed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Trained byLou Talaber[3]

Early life

Billy Goelz was born to parents LeRoy and Ann Goelz (née Lubner) in Chicago on January 3, 1918.[1] 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 amatur wrestler in the city parks system and began professionally wrestling as a teenager.[3] Goelz joined the U.S. Army during World War II (1939-1945)[1] and resumed his wrestling career thereafter.

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.[4] 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.[3]

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.[3] He was also the booker for Gypsy Joe.[5]

Later life and passing

A veteran of World War II, Goelz was a member of the American Legion in Fox Lake, Illinois. He was also a member of the American Association of Retired Persons and Teamsters local 301 in Waukegan. Goelz and his wife, Ruth, had 5 children.[1] He died at St Joseph's Hospital, Florida.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. "William Charles "Billy" Goelz (1918-2002) - Find..." www.findagrave.com.
  2. Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com.
  3. Hornbaker, Tim (3 January 2017). "Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers". Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. – via Google Books.
  4. "Billy Goelz".
  5. Wilson, Jim; Johnson, Jim Wilson & Weldon T. (2 September 2003). "Chokehold: Pro Wrestling's Real Mayhem Outside the Ring". Xlibris Corporation – via Google Books.
  6. Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com.
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