Dan Willis was born May 13, 1941 in Waco, Texas and started rodeoing in high school in 1957. Dan was also a clown at amateur rodeos from 1958 to 1964.
Dan participated in all five rodeo events but his favorites were Bull Riding, Saddle Broncs and Bull Dogging. Bull Riding was easiest of all says Dan.
Placing in rodeos was common for Dan as he took first or second numerous times. In Lamar, Colorado Dan placed first three years in a row (70, 71, 72), and twice in Lawton, Oklahoma. Dan’s biggest win was at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California in 1965. The best week of Dan’s career was fourth of July week of 1970 when he won a 2nd and 3rd in Belton, Texas, 2nd at Hinton, Oklahoma, 1st in Springdale, Arkansas and 1st in Mesquite, Texas.
In 1965 Dan was the “R.C.A. Rookie of the Year” and National Finals Qualifier (Bull Riding). He was a R.C.A. Rodeo Clown for 8 years (1972-1980), an auctioneer for 23 years and was selected to judge: Miss Rodeo Texas, 1969; N.I.R.A. National Finals, 1973: and N.H.S.R.A. National Finals, 1982. Dan was also selected “Farm Caster of the Year”, 1994 by the Texas Farm Union.
Dan is perhaps best known for his Songwriting, Cowboy Poetry and After Dinner Speaking. Dan was also the Farm and Ranch Director at K.C.E.N. TV in Waco for seven years and hosted a Farm and Ranch Radio Show for 2 years. Dan is also an auctioneer and Announcer at many southwestern livestock Sales, horse shows and rodeos.
Dan and his wife Janis live at Cransfills Gap, Texas. They have three children, Bob, Missy, and Becky. and three grandchildren, Casey, Macey and Brady.
