Willingham attended Murphy High School in Atlanta where he played baseball, football and basketball. In 1947 while playing for the Gate City Cardinals baseball team of the American Legion league, he helped the team win the Georgia State Championship.After graduating high school, Willingham got married to his wife Beverly and they have been together for nearly 70 years. Together, they have two kids, Debi and Russ, who both graduated from Lakeside High School.Staying involved with athletics, Willingham spent many years coaching baseball and football. He spent one year as the head coach of the Oglethorpe baseball team, and scouted forthe New York Mets of Major League Baseball.Willingham was a major influence in the birth of Briarcliff Community Sports, acting as president of the organization for two years. With his help, the community was able to receive a $400,000 grant to build multiple fields and the tennis center as Briarcliff became an invaluable feeder ofmany great athletes that would attend Lakeside.
The Lakeside High School Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the rich history and achievements of high school athletes who graduated from Lakeside High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
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