Maybe this headline caught your attention. The B.A.S.S. community lost a great friend on Feb. 16, 2026. W.E. (Billy) Graham passed away at the age of 99. Billy was a Lay Minister and yes, he was proud to have the same name and calling as the Great Evangelist Billy Graham.
Our fishing Billy Graham was a friend to so many anglers through the years. I first met him in the early 90s at a B.A.S.S. event. B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Dewey Kendrick told me he wanted to introduce me to Billy Graham and absolutely that caught my attention. Billy became great friends with the entire B.A.S.S. tournament staff. Often he would hang out with us. And on days a co-angler dropped out, Billy was there ready to occupy a seat in a pro’s boat for the day.
As an angler, Billy was one of the very best “bank beaters” I have known. I say that because at every event, B.A.S.S. established an off-limits area around the weigh-in site for various reasons. Those off limits became Billy’s playground during tournament week. One morning at Lake Texoma, Billy hit the trifecta catching a largemouth, a nice smallmouth and a spotted bass in about an hour’s time. He was so excited.
Billy’s true calling though was walking every step with Jesus. In life we meet different folks along the way, and I imagine most of us meet people who make a real difference in our lives. Billy was one of those people. As Charlie Ingram posted, our world was better because of our Billy Graham.
I talked to Michael Hall, Billy’s closest friend, after his passing. Michael was a great angler from Virginia while Billy resided in Maryland. Billy often accompanied Michael to B.A.S.S. events. And there were times where Billy simply packed up his minivan and traveled on his own. Michael shared with me he visited Billy in the hospital in his final days. He said Billy’s mind was sharp, and he reminisced about all the folks and good times he had at our events.
We all remember where we were in September 2001. B.A.S.S. was getting ready for the New York Invitational in Clayton, N.Y., when the terrorist attacks happened. I remember so well we met with the anglers to announce the cancellation of the tournament, and Billy closed the meeting with a touching prayer.
Billy was a World War II veteran and loved his country. He loved the sport of bass fishing as well. When he was home in Maryland, Billy and his buddy Ralph regularly visited their little local lake in a two-man boat. He could not wait to give me a fishing report at our next event.
While we will certainly miss him, we know Billy Graham has crossed over to the other side and is resting with Jesus!
Rest in peace, old friend!