New England Hall of Fame
/Willie Paradis// Organizer		1989
Willie Paradis of Bristol, Ct. was inducted as a player into the New England Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1989. He entered his first tournament in 1954 beginning a playing career that stretched over 40 years. Traveling throughout Ct. New England, N.Y., N.J, PA. And Canada during that span he tossed iron in at least 175 reported events, compiling an average of over 60%, with a high tournament of 75%. Pitching in 13 New England Championships, 8 of them in Championship Class. He averaged 56.32%, winning the Championships in 1961. He was the first Ct. player to do so. In Connecticut play, Willie, (his given name), entered the State Championship 26 times, taking the top spot three of those years. 1958, 1961, and 1962. His average for those 3 events was 52.50%. During the height of his career Willie was often invited by clubs, fairs and schools to put on exhibitions, doing so with the use of blankets, tires, even placing his daughter in a chair straddling the stake. He represented New England very well on and off the courts with his disposition and humor, garnering a reputation as a credit to our sport. Besides horseshoes, Willie participated in skiing, roller-skating, baseball and softball, and was considered an excellent billiard player, once shooting in an exhibition against the famed Willie Mosconi. Born in 1922, Willie spent three and one half years in the Air Corps during World War II. He married his lovely bride Daisy Little in 1947 to raise their family. Son Gary and Daughter Gail have given them nine grandchildren. He is an electrician by trade, rising to chief electrician supervisor. Willie Paradis would be a worthy inductee to anyone's Horseshoe Hall of Fame.