Billy Welu (b. July 3, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, d. May 16, 1974) was a famous professional bowler, executive for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), bowling broadcaster, and a great ambassador for the sport. A founding member of the PBA, he won four PBA titles, including two ABC Masters championships. He is the only bowler in history to successfully defend an ABC/USBC Masters title, winning the event in 1964 and 1965.[1]
Known for his heavy southern accent and easygoing personality, Welu spent several years as an analyst alongside legendary broadcaster Chris Schenkel on ABC's Saturday afternoon telecasts of the Pro Bowlers Tour. He was posthumously inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.[2]
Welu's untimely death of a heart attack at age 41 in 1974, which took a major toll on his close friend Schenkel, prompted ABC to find a new color commentator to join Schenkel in the booth. This was during a time when bowling was wildly popular and garnered very high ratings on television. Dick Weber and Dave Davis alternated telecasts for a brief period until Nelson Burton Jr. was selected as a permanent analyst. Nelson and Chris spent nearly 23 years together calling the action for ABC Sports.
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