Like many Negro League players, the birthdate and location of Willie
Grace's birth are not known for sure.  His birthplace has been reported as
Memphis, Tennessee or Meridian, Mississippi. It appears he attended high 
school in Meridian.  June 30, 1917 is listed in most sources as his date of 
birth although one lists June 30, 1918.
         Willie played for the Buckeyes from 1943 through 1948 and the
Buckeyes were the only Negro League team he played for.  Other than
Archie Ware and Sam Jethroe. Grace played more games for the Buckeyes
than any other player.  He played all outfield positions and pitched in
one game for the Buckeyes in 1946.  He was a switch hitter.
          Willie played in three Negro League All Star Games and played on
the 1945 World Champion Cleveland Buckeyes and the 1947 Negro
American League Champion Cleveland Buckeyes.  He was the only
player to hit a home run in the 1945 World Series.      
          Also known as the "St. Louis Slugger,"  Willie played in 1951 for the
minor league Erie Sailors in the independent Middle Atlantic League.
          Wllie was the last surviving member of the 1945 champion Buckeyes.
He passed away on November 18, 2006 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
         His statistics are listed below although his Negro League numbers are 
incomplete due to a lack of official Negro League statistics.