Obituary for William "Bucky" Woy
Bucky Woy, professional golfer and renowned sports agent, passed peacefully at age 84, surrounded by his adoring family. Born in Akron, Ohio, on August 19, 1936, Bucky is survived by the love of his life for 62 years, Mitzi Woy, and their three children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Jack Woy (spouse Dale), of Akron, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.
William John Woy (nickname “Bucky”) was one of the original sports agents; a pioneer who helped start the industry of professional sports management. After playing on the PGA tour and working as a golf professional in country clubs across Florida, Michigan and Ohio, Bucky formed Consulting Services, one of the first sports management firms ever. He worked with clients such as Julius Boros, Lee Trevino, Ben Hogan, Tom Weiskopf, Jack Lambert and, from 1967 to 1974, Bucky looked after the business of these and other sports superstars. During this time he was also named commissioner of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA), which became the first ladies championship to be televised nationally.
In 1974, he was invited to join Lamar Hunt’s World Championship Tennis (WCT) organization in Dallas. He traveled the world in service to establishing the first men’s professional tennis league with players such as Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Ilie Nastase and Bjorn Borg; a legacy that has yielded what is the sport today.
In 1978 Bucky resigned from WCT to form Bucky Woy Enterprises to look after the business life of some of the greatest names in sports as their agent/manager, including Jimmy Connors, Bob Horner, “Mean” Joe Green, Pete Incaviglia, and many others. In 1990 he retired and passed the business to his oldest son Jordan who was an attorney.
In addition to being a professional golfer with over a dozen “hole-in-ones” and who once held the course record at four different courses at the same time, Bucky was also an avid lifelong fisherman. He loved being on the water spending time with friends and family: Sailfish and Marlin fishing in Mexico; Bonefishing in the Florida Keys with his brother Bob; And his favorite was deep sea fishing with the entire family in Port Aransas, Texas where Mitzi and he vacationed every summer since 1977. Later in life, Bucky took great joy in the many 10+ pound bass he took out of Lake Fork and the ponds of Las Colinas Country Club.
Bucky possessed that rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love. His love for family was palpable and unparalleled. No one instilled the importance of loving your family the way Bucky Woy did. He was always available for his children and grandchildren – and their friends. No matter the situation, Bucky was there to help. Bucky never missed an event for one of his children or grandchildren –always present with words of encouragement, rooting loud and hard from the sideline. He also always offered advice on how to improve, no matter how well you thought you did. He made you better because he believed in you more than you believed in yourself.
He was a wise counselor who provided encouragement and love and — most important — the truth. Bucky knew if you were holding back on him, and he had the innate capacity to zero in on what was not being said that needed to be said, and if you had a strong opinion, then you better be able to back it up. He loved the underdog and loved fighting for anyone that had been victimized or taken advantage of. He wanted to provide counsel when things were messy, not celebratory. He loved to dig in and try to help.
This quality showed up in his business dealings as well. Bucky had incredible stories from his negotiations and dealings with the biggest names in sports. Such a fierce negotiator was Bucky that Julius Boros once quipped, “I hope I go to heaven but, if not, I sleep well knowing Bucky will have negotiated me an air-conditioned room down below.”
From Elvis Presley and Perry Como to Andy Williams, Buck knew and entertained them all. Referred to by close friends and family members as “The Greatest,” Bucky could make you laugh in almost any situation. However, although he was the life of many, many parties (if you met Bucky, you remembered meeting Bucky), he would trade it all for a night at home with his family.
Bucky developed a deep faith and relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It brought him great comfort and always propelled him to “Finish Strong.” He and Mitzi attended Irving Bible Church for more than 20 years together, always holding court on the back row.
Due to COVID-19, there will not be a public funeral. In a few months the family will hold a Celebration of Life at Las Colinas Country Club in his honor. Details will be shared via social media in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his honor by clicking the link below.
Survived by his 3 children:
Michele Jones. Age 61. Spouse Jess Jones. Daughter Alex DeLay, husband Lucky DeLay, Jr. Daughter Riley Buck DeLay and son Lucky Delay, III. Michele and Jess reside in Weatherford, Texas.
Jordan Woy. Age 59. Daughters Christy Woy and Sydney Woy. Jordan resides in Irving, Texas.
Brad Woy. Age 50. Spouse Crystal Woy. Son Hayden Woy. Daughters Harper and Hattie Woy. Brad and Crystal reside in Tyler, Texas.
William John Woy (nickname “Bucky”) was one of the original sports agents; a pioneer who helped start the industry of professional sports management. After playing on the PGA tour and working as a golf professional in country clubs across Florida, Michigan and Ohio, Bucky formed Consulting Services, one of the first sports management firms ever. He worked with clients such as Julius Boros, Lee Trevino, Ben Hogan, Tom Weiskopf, Jack Lambert and, from 1967 to 1974, Bucky looked after the business of these and other sports superstars. During this time he was also named commissioner of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA), which became the first ladies championship to be televised nationally.
In 1974, he was invited to join Lamar Hunt’s World Championship Tennis (WCT) organization in Dallas. He traveled the world in service to establishing the first men’s professional tennis league with players such as Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Ilie Nastase and Bjorn Borg; a legacy that has yielded what is the sport today.
In 1978 Bucky resigned from WCT to form Bucky Woy Enterprises to look after the business life of some of the greatest names in sports as their agent/manager, including Jimmy Connors, Bob Horner, “Mean” Joe Green, Pete Incaviglia, and many others. In 1990 he retired and passed the business to his oldest son Jordan who was an attorney.
In addition to being a professional golfer with over a dozen “hole-in-ones” and who once held the course record at four different courses at the same time, Bucky was also an avid lifelong fisherman. He loved being on the water spending time with friends and family: Sailfish and Marlin fishing in Mexico; Bonefishing in the Florida Keys with his brother Bob; And his favorite was deep sea fishing with the entire family in Port Aransas, Texas where Mitzi and he vacationed every summer since 1977. Later in life, Bucky took great joy in the many 10+ pound bass he took out of Lake Fork and the ponds of Las Colinas Country Club.
Bucky possessed that rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love. His love for family was palpable and unparalleled. No one instilled the importance of loving your family the way Bucky Woy did. He was always available for his children and grandchildren – and their friends. No matter the situation, Bucky was there to help. Bucky never missed an event for one of his children or grandchildren –always present with words of encouragement, rooting loud and hard from the sideline. He also always offered advice on how to improve, no matter how well you thought you did. He made you better because he believed in you more than you believed in yourself.
He was a wise counselor who provided encouragement and love and — most important — the truth. Bucky knew if you were holding back on him, and he had the innate capacity to zero in on what was not being said that needed to be said, and if you had a strong opinion, then you better be able to back it up. He loved the underdog and loved fighting for anyone that had been victimized or taken advantage of. He wanted to provide counsel when things were messy, not celebratory. He loved to dig in and try to help.
This quality showed up in his business dealings as well. Bucky had incredible stories from his negotiations and dealings with the biggest names in sports. Such a fierce negotiator was Bucky that Julius Boros once quipped, “I hope I go to heaven but, if not, I sleep well knowing Bucky will have negotiated me an air-conditioned room down below.”
From Elvis Presley and Perry Como to Andy Williams, Buck knew and entertained them all. Referred to by close friends and family members as “The Greatest,” Bucky could make you laugh in almost any situation. However, although he was the life of many, many parties (if you met Bucky, you remembered meeting Bucky), he would trade it all for a night at home with his family.
Bucky developed a deep faith and relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It brought him great comfort and always propelled him to “Finish Strong.” He and Mitzi attended Irving Bible Church for more than 20 years together, always holding court on the back row.
Due to COVID-19, there will not be a public funeral. In a few months the family will hold a Celebration of Life at Las Colinas Country Club in his honor. Details will be shared via social media in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his honor by clicking the link below.
Survived by his 3 children:
Michele Jones. Age 61. Spouse Jess Jones. Daughter Alex DeLay, husband Lucky DeLay, Jr. Daughter Riley Buck DeLay and son Lucky Delay, III. Michele and Jess reside in Weatherford, Texas.
Jordan Woy. Age 59. Daughters Christy Woy and Sydney Woy. Jordan resides in Irving, Texas.
Brad Woy. Age 50. Spouse Crystal Woy. Son Hayden Woy. Daughters Harper and Hattie Woy. Brad and Crystal reside in Tyler, Texas.