Photo by: UofM Athletic Media Relations
Tiger Football Great Billy Fletcher Passes Away at 72
Jan 25, 2016 | Football
Former Tiger was a member of three different Hall of Fames.
MEMPHIS -- Billy Fletcher, considered by many as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Memphis football history, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Baptist-Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tennessee. Â
A native of Memphis, Fletcher, age 72, was a standout prep quarterback at South Side High School prior to signing a scholarship with Ole Miss in 1962. After one season with the Rebels, Fletcher transferred to then Memphis State University and played for three years under former head coach Billy J. Murphy. As a sophomore, he played behind starter Russell Vollmer at quarterback but also handled all of the Tigers' kicking duties. He rushed for 224 yards, scored two touchdowns, returned kickoffs for 115 yards, passed for 151 yards and one score and had three field goals and three PATs in helping the Tigers to an undefeated season.
 During his junior campaign, Fletcher led the team in rushing with 367 yards and in scoring with 49 points. He threw for 921 yards and seven touchdowns, returned 16 kickoffs for 389 yards and booted a school record 50-yard field goal against West Texas. In total, Fletcher broke nine records during his junior season.
 In his final campaign, the first season that the Tigers played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (previously named Memphis Memorial Stadium), the multi-threat quarterback threw for 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed for 556 yards and six scores and kicked 24 PATs. He became the first Memphis quarterback to pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season, and by the end of the 1965 season, had set 15 new Memphis football records. In the 1965 contest against nationally ranked Mississippi State, Fletcher led the Tigers to a 33-13 win over the undefeated Bulldogs and for his play was named the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated National Back of the Week. He was the first player to pass for a touchdown and kick a PAT in the Liberty Bowl. Fletcher completed his Memphis State career holding the Tiger records for most yards passing in a season, most pass attempts/season, most passes completed/season, most kickoff return yards in a season, most career field goals made, most total offense/career, as well as records for career passing yards, career pass attempts and completions, and career touchdown passes. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos and after a stint in pro football, returned to Memphis to start a career in the metal supply business.
Fletcher, born May 2, 1943, was the co-owner of Metal Supply Company in Memphis. He was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 1985, received the Hall of Fame's Billy J. Murphy Award in 1996, was named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and was inducted into the All-American Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Marsha, son Jay (Heather), grandson Griffin and granddaughter Evie and his sister Betty Fletcher Martin (Tony).
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A native of Memphis, Fletcher, age 72, was a standout prep quarterback at South Side High School prior to signing a scholarship with Ole Miss in 1962. After one season with the Rebels, Fletcher transferred to then Memphis State University and played for three years under former head coach Billy J. Murphy. As a sophomore, he played behind starter Russell Vollmer at quarterback but also handled all of the Tigers' kicking duties. He rushed for 224 yards, scored two touchdowns, returned kickoffs for 115 yards, passed for 151 yards and one score and had three field goals and three PATs in helping the Tigers to an undefeated season.
 During his junior campaign, Fletcher led the team in rushing with 367 yards and in scoring with 49 points. He threw for 921 yards and seven touchdowns, returned 16 kickoffs for 389 yards and booted a school record 50-yard field goal against West Texas. In total, Fletcher broke nine records during his junior season.
 In his final campaign, the first season that the Tigers played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (previously named Memphis Memorial Stadium), the multi-threat quarterback threw for 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed for 556 yards and six scores and kicked 24 PATs. He became the first Memphis quarterback to pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season, and by the end of the 1965 season, had set 15 new Memphis football records. In the 1965 contest against nationally ranked Mississippi State, Fletcher led the Tigers to a 33-13 win over the undefeated Bulldogs and for his play was named the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated National Back of the Week. He was the first player to pass for a touchdown and kick a PAT in the Liberty Bowl. Fletcher completed his Memphis State career holding the Tiger records for most yards passing in a season, most pass attempts/season, most passes completed/season, most kickoff return yards in a season, most career field goals made, most total offense/career, as well as records for career passing yards, career pass attempts and completions, and career touchdown passes. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos and after a stint in pro football, returned to Memphis to start a career in the metal supply business.
Fletcher, born May 2, 1943, was the co-owner of Metal Supply Company in Memphis. He was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 1985, received the Hall of Fame's Billy J. Murphy Award in 1996, was named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and was inducted into the All-American Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Marsha, son Jay (Heather), grandson Griffin and granddaughter Evie and his sister Betty Fletcher Martin (Tony).
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