Willie was born December 15th, 1933 in Portland, Maine to Edythe Mae Laite and Frederick Keith Greenlaw. On March 3rd, 1953 Willie married his high school sweetheart Caroline (Cavallaro) Greenlaw, remaining together for 71 years until his passing. Willie was a graduate of Portland High School Class of 1953, excelling in football, basketball, track & field, and baseball. A local legend but humble in his demeanor, Willie was a multi-sport record holder for many years.
He continued his academic and athletic career in Lincoln, Nebraska at the University of Nebraska. In Lincoln, Willie played varsity baseball and football for the Cornhuskers with an appearance in the 1955 Orange Bowl and election into the Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Hall of Fame in 1989. After his collegiate career, Willie played professionally and semi-professionally with the Cincinnati Reds organization and the Portland Seahawks football team in 1960. Willie is an inductee into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame 1984, the Maine Sports Hall of Fame 1986, and the Portland High School Football Hall of Fame original class of 2013.
Willie was a worker in the trades with many years of service for both Maine Tile and retiring from Paul G. White Tile in Portland.
He was preceded in death by his mother Edythe, father Fredrick, and sister Larita.
Willie is survived by his wife Caroline Greenlaw, daughters Debra O’Brion and Carol Greenlaw, son-in-law Marty O’Brion Sr., four grandchildren Martin (Kelley) O’Brion Jr., Kara (Ryan) Sullivan, John William (Jen) O’Brion, and Seth William (Lindsay) Greenlaw. He also leaves behind seven great grandchildren and beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Thank you to the doctors and nurses at Mercy Hospital for the great care and love given to Willie.
At the request of the family the funeral and burial will be private.
Donations in Willie’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, Maine Division, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave condolences for the family and sign Willie’s online guest book.
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