Plenty of tradition keeps big bowling family rolling

Wilmoth “Willy” Walcott, 75, of Columbia, is a great-great grandmother that has raised a large and accomplished bowling family.

The Walcott motto is “just fun” when it comes to bowling, but Willy Walcott’s son Jon Walcott and her daughter Gaye Wilke are serious competitors. They and their mother are in the Columbia Bowling Hall of Fame. Jon Wlcott was inducted in 2002, and Gaye Wilke was inducted in 2004.

Sunday, the siblings bowled as a team in the the Show-Me State Games mixed doubles scratch competition at Town and Country Lanes. Their only competition was in the family. Gaye Wilke’s son Josh Wilke and Jon Walcott’s ex-wife Leslie Parker were the only other mixed doubles team.

Josh Wilke used his late uncle’s lucky ball. The bright green ball once belonged to Willy Walcott’s son Wesley Walcott, a remarkable bowler who died of cancer.

A memorable day for the Walcott family was Wesley Walcott’s lifetime achievement dedication in 2002 at his new bowling alley in Lawrence, Kan. On that day, Jon Walcott bowled his first 300 and was the recipient of the last ball his brother ever drilled. Josh Wilke was given the lucky ball and now hopes to get his first 300. He has already rolled two 287s with it.

“I don’t use it all the time, but when it comes out, pins drop,” Josh Wilke said.

Although she doesn’t compete regularly any more, Willy Walcott keeps her family in line during league and tournament play in Columbia.

“She’s in charge, even if she isn’t bowling, she’s the boss,” Gaye Wilke said.

Willy Walcott started her children bowling young. Jon was 13 and Gaye just 6. Both have done the same with their children.

Last year, Jon Walcott and Gaye Wilke lost to Josh Wilke and Parker, but they regained the title on Sunday 1329 pins to 1155.

The siblings have inherited some distinctive moves from their mother. When picking up a spare, they both turn around away from the lane before the ball collides with the pins. They both leave their hands up in the air when the other is bowling until a strike is hit, then a high-five commences.

The Walcotts say they are concerned with the future of bowling in Columbia. Gaye Wilke, who worked at Oakland Plaza Lanes for 25 years before it closed, says she sees a decline in turnout.

“Every year there are a handful less people coming out,” Gaye said.

Willy Walcott says that entertainment like video games keep people comfortable in their homes and less likely to get out and enjoy sports like bowling.

“I remember when there were four bowling alleys in this town, we need one twice the size of this one to get anything done,” she said.

Willy Walcott, who has been bowling since 1964, is planning to end a short retirement from bowling because of a back injury. She says she will play in a Friday night league starting in the middle of August.