Bill
'Weenie Beenie' Staton |
One
Pocket
Hall
of Fame
Is
pleased to honor
Bill
Staton
'Weenie
Beenie '
For
his Outstanding Contribution
to
the Legacy of
The
Game of One Pocket
Elected
2004
|
b.
d. 2-18-2006 |
Gentleman
One Pocket legend Bill 'Weenie Beenie'
Staton grew up in the Washington, DC area. Although he came to pool
at the relatively late age of 23, Bill was one of the early stalwarts
of Johnston City. In fact, he was one of a handful of players that
used to gather at George Jansco's in the years before the
original 1961 tournament that instigated George to hold the very
first Johnston City tournament, which was just One Pocket
that first year. In contrast to the playful sounding name, Weenie
Beenie is one of the most dignified and well-respected personalities
to ever excel at One Pocket.
Bill
earned his unusual nickname because he owned bean and hotdog stands
in the Washington area bearing the same name, with the same unusual
"double e" spelling. Over the years, the hotdog stands
helped fund Beenie's pool interest, and as Beenie
tells it, occasionally his pool playing helped fund the hotdog stands.
*
As a tournament player, Weenie Beenie has
played in perhaps as many One Pocket events as anyone,
from that very first Johnston City tournament right up to
several of Grady Mathews' recent Legends events. Frequently
placing 'in the money', Bill won one event:
- 1972
Stardust Open One Pocket
*
Well known for his after hours play, Beenie
has for many years had a reputation for his notable courage
to step to the table even against the strongest players, for
serious stakes. |
|
Beenie and Jimmy Marino from the 1972 Stardust program
Photo courtesy Mark Griffin
|
*
As a room owner and tournament promoter, he ran the Jack
& Jill Cue Club in Arlington, VA -- one of the top action and
tournament rooms of the 60's and 70's, and so popular it was open
24 hours a day, seven days a week for fourteen years without ever
closing its doors, until the building itself was torn down. He promoted many tournaments, including Straight Pool, 9-Ball and of course his favorite, One Pocket.
|
|
Two of the tournaments Bill promoted and hosted at the
Jack & Jill Cue Club that included One Pocket --
pretty good prize money for the early 70's!
Both ads from the National Billiard News
|
*
His smooth playing skills and engaging personality for
many years made Beenie a favorite for appearances
in exhibitions and on such popular television shows as
The Steve Allen Show and The Johnny Carson
Show.
|
|
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Beenie at one of Red's Tournaments in Houston, TX (1983-1984)
Mike Haines photos -- courtesy Bill Porter
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Click here for our 2005 interview with Bill Staton
Click here for Bill Staton's obituary
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