Bill Mercer facts for kids

William A. Mercer (born February 13, 1926 – died March 22, 2025) was a famous American sportscaster. He was also an educator and author. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was honored in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2002. Mercer was well-known for his work with World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He also covered many local sports events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He even reported on the important events surrounding the John F. Kennedy assassination.

Early Life and Education

During World War II, Bill Mercer served in the United States Navy. He was a signalman from 1943 to 1946. He served on the USS Rixey and USS LCI(G)–439. His ships took part in five major invasions. These included the Marshall Islands, Guam, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa. After the war, Mercer went to Northeastern State College in Oklahoma. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Denver in 1949. Later, he received his master's degree from North Texas State University in 1966. His granddaughter, Emma Tiedemann, is also a well-known sports announcer.

A Career in Broadcasting

Bill Mercer had a long and exciting career. He was a play-by-play announcer for many sports. These included baseball, football, basketball, and wrestling. He also worked as a news reporter.

News Reporting

On November 22, 1963, a very important event happened. This was the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. Bill Mercer was a news anchor and reporter for KRLD radio in Dallas. He covered the events extensively. He was one of the first reporters to share information about the person involved. Mercer later wrote a book about his experiences. It was called When the News Went Live.

Sports Announcing

Mercer's career in sports broadcasting lasted over 60 years. He announced for several minor league baseball teams. These included the Muskogee Giants and the Dallas Rangers. He also worked for the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs. He then moved on to major league baseball. He announced for the Texas Rangers in 1972. He also worked for the Chicago White Sox in 1974.

Mercer was the voice for University of North Texas football and basketball. He did this from 1959 to 1994. He also announced for professional football teams. He started with the Dallas Texans in 1960. Later, he joined the Dallas Cowboys from 1966 to 1971. He even called the famous "Ice Bowl" game in 1967. This was between the Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. He also announced the Cowboys' second Super Bowl appearance in 1972. In the 2000s, he helped announce for the Round Rock Express and the Frisco RoughRiders baseball teams.

Wrestling Announcing

Bill Mercer also became a famous wrestling announcer. He started in the 1950s in Oklahoma. He announced for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) from 1982 to 1987. These shows were seen internationally. He also announced wrestling matches for KRLD-TV and KTVT. In 2005, he appeared in a documentary. It was called Heroes of World Class.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Bill Mercer continued to share his stories. He co-wrote When the News Went Live. He also wrote a memoir about his career. It was titled Play-by-Play: Tales from a Sportscasting Insider.

Bill Mercer passed away on March 23, 2025, at the age of 99.

Awards and Honors

• Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2020 inductee)
• Texas Radio Hall of Fame (2002 inductee)
• University of North Texas Athletic Department Hall of Fame
• Texas Baseball Ex-Pro's Baseball Hall of Fame
• Oklahoma Sports Museum, Guthrie, Oklahoma: The Bill Teegins Award
• Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame (April 2009)
• University of Texas-Dallas Athletic Department Hall of Honor (2011)
• Namesake of the Bill Mercer Press Club at the University of North Texas's Apogee Stadium (awarded in 2012)
• Muskogee High Athletics Hall of Fame (2014)
• Press Club of Dallas, Legends of North Texas Journalism Awards (2011 inductee)