Bill George is the epitome of an American Rodeo Cowboy. He grew up on a cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle, joined the United States Arm Forces during World War II and Korea, was a champion bull rider, champion saddle bronc rider and champion steer wrestler. Bill has made a career in the Western Industry (he and his wife Billie founded “American Hat Company”). He proudly served on the Board of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and most of all has stayed a true friend to cowboys. During all thus, he has been a great husband and inspirational father.
Generous to a fault, Bill has helped countless cowboys get back on their feet. Back in the seventies and eighties, it was cowboys stopping by the house to get some cash because for some reason they were always broke. Some people bring home stray animals, Bill would bring home stray cowboys and get them back on their feet.
Tragic circumstances led two of the great cowboys to live with Bill, Freckles Brown and Buck Rutherford. Both cowboys needed medical attention at the nearby Medical Center of Houton. Bill was more than happy to lend his time and home to these great cowboys.
Aside from a great humanitarian Bill’s list of rodeo wins is staggering. Below is a list of the rodeos that Bill won:
Dalhart: 1st-BR. Plainview: A-A. Amarillo: A-A. Weatherford: A-A. San Antonio: BR. Baird: BR. Big Spring: BR. Cleburne: A-A. Nocona: BR. Burkburnett: A-A. Cleburne: A-A. Kileen: BB. Bowie: BR
OKC: A-A. OKC: BR. Tulsa: BB. Ardmore: BB. Mangum: A-A. Shawnee: BB.
KC: BB. Dodge City: BR
Iowa, Davenport: A-A. Sidney: BB. Ft. Madison: BB.
NM, Albuquerque: A-A. Roswell: SW. Santa Fe: A-A. Clovis: BR
Bill George has long been a youth advocate and because of him over the years, American Hat and has been a supporter of first, Little Britchers Rodeo and now the National High School Finals Rodeo. Throughout the years, because of Bill, American Hat has also sponsored countless other rodeos throughout the United States and Canada. Bill also continually donates to charity events and fund-raiser that support cowboys and their way of life. Bill George is truly a Great American Cowboy.
