Ralph Wilson

1918 - 2014

Ralph Wilson

1918 - 2014

BORN

1918

DIED

2014

Ralph Wilson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 25, 2014.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Ralph Wilson, the Buffalo Bills owner who helped found the American Football League in 1960 and played a key role in the merger with the NFL, died Tuesday. He was 95.

Wilson died at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich., said Mary Mazur, spokeswoman for the Wayne County medical examiner's office. He had been receiving home hospice care.

Bills President Russ Brandon announced the death at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla. Wilson gave up daily oversight of the club on Jan. 1, 2013, when he relinquished the president's title to Brandon.

Wilson was the founder and sole owner of the Bills after establishing the team with the upstart AFL. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

"Ralph Wilson was a driving force in developing pro football into America's most popular sport," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Ralph always brought a principled and common-sense approach to issues."

Wilson had been in failing health for several years after hip surgery in 2011. Though he spent much of his time at his home in suburban Detroit, he attended Hall of Fame induction weekends. He was a regular at Bills home games since founding the franchise, but had not been there since going to one game in 2010.

"No one loves this game more than Ralph Wilson," Brandon said in a statement. "It's very tough. What he's' meant to the entire organization. He's our leader, our mentor our friend. How he loves his players and loved our community. Special guy. They just don't make them like Ralph Wilson."

Wilson was deemed the "conscience" of the NFL for his loyalty to fans and the stands he took against franchise relocation.

"He didn't let anyone pull anything off in him. He was very forceful," New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson said.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank called him a "visionary and pioneer of professional football" whose "lasting impact on the NFL will forever be felt."

Wilson's one regret was the Bills' inability to win a Super Bowl. They came close in the early 1990s, when the Marv Levy-coached and Jim Kelly-quarterbacked teams won four consecutive AFC championships from 1990-93, but lost each time.

The Bills, however, have not made the playoffs since 1999 and their 14 postseason drought ranks as the NFL's longest active streak.

What Wilson never lacked was his sense of humor.

In 2010, with the Bills 0-5, Wilson began an interview with The Associated Press with an apology. "I want to apologize for this phone system," Wilson said, with a familiar chuckle. "It's almost as bad as my team."

The future of the team is now in the hands of Brandon and Wilson's second-in-command, Bills treasurer Jeffrey Littmann. For the meantime, the Bills are expected to be placed in a trust before eventually being sold.

Wilson expressed no interest of leaving the team to his family. He is survived by wife Mary, daughter Christy Wilson-Hofmann, who serves as a Bills consultant. There's also niece Mary Owen, who has risen up the Bills ranks and serves on several NFL committees while working as the team's executive vice president of strategic planning.

Kelly has expressed interest in buying the franchise and has previously said he's assembled a group of investors.

Kelly's health, however, has become an issue this week. He is expected to have surgery for a second time in a year following the recurrence of cancer that his wife described as aggressive and "starting to spread."

Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula has deep pockets and is also considered a candidate to purchase the Bills and keep them in Buffalo.

That doesn't remove the possibility of outside interests making offers and relocating the team to much larger markets such as Los Angeles or nearby Toronto, where the Bills began playing annual regular-season "home" games in 2008. That series was postponed this year.

The Bills' future in Orchard Park is secure for the short term. The team negotiated a 10-year lease in December 2012 with the state and county to continue playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

It's a $271 million deal, of which $130 million will be committed to upgrading an aging stadium that opened in 1973.

The agreement includes a provision that essentially locks in the Bills through the first seven seasons. The franchise would have to pay $400 million if it decides to leave before 2019. The team then has an option of buying out the remaining three years of the lease for $28 million.

Wilson played a key role in helping form the modern day NFL, along with Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams.

Wilson went as far as to travel to the 1964 Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria — where he slept on the floor of a reporter's room because all the hotels were booked — to help broker the AFL's landmark TV deal with NBC.

Wilson often voiced his opinion against fellow NFL owners in more recent years.

In 2006, he criticized several members of the new generation of NFL team owners — Jerry Jones of Dallas, Daniel Snyder of Washington and Robert Kraft of New England — for acting in their best interest and not the league's.

When asked how his views might be interpreted by Snyder, Wilson bluntly replied: "I don't give a damn about Dan Snyder."

As the late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis said of Wilson in 2009: "There were a lot of guys saying (Steelers owner Dan) Rooney was the conscience. But certainly, Mr. Wilson was more of a conscience of the league."

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1918, Wilson moved to Detroit three years later when his father, Ralph Wilson Sr., took a sales job at an auto dealership. The father turned to insurance and in the mid-1930s landed a deal with Chrysler Corp.

The younger Wilson graduated from the University of Virginia, where he played baseball and boxed, before completing one year at the University of Michigan Law School. He made his fortune taking over his father's insurance business, but he had a passion for football.

Selling a small share he had in the Detroit Lions, Wilson went off to help form the AFL. After initially being turned down by politicians to establish a franchise in Miami, he chose Buffalo on the advice of a Detroit newspaper sports editor.

He enjoyed the "Foolish Club" label that was applied to him and his fellow AFL owners.

"What a damn fool I was," he told the AP in 2009. "But I didn't care. I just wanted to own a team."

JOHN WAWROW, AP Sports Writer

AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner in Orlando, and Associated Press writer Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Ralph Wilson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 8, 2014

Diana Walker posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2014

Austin Kuczek posted to the memorial.

March 31, 2014

Gary Preston posted to the memorial.

48 Entries

Diana Walker

April 8, 2014

R.I.P.

Austin Kuczek

April 1, 2014

You will be missed Mr. Wilson,Thank you for what you did for the AFL and the NFL.

Gary Preston

March 31, 2014

Buffalo True and Blue! Thank you Mr. Wilson for your loyalty and dedication to the people of Buffalo...You are our hero!
Rest in peace our friend.....

March 31, 2014

My condolences for the Wilson family. He was a spearhead for football and NFL. My prayers are with you.

Gladden

March 30, 2014

May God be with his family, Joshua 1:5

March 30, 2014

Sorry for your loss. May you have peace in knowing that one day the dead will live again.

March 30, 2014

My deepest condolences for Ralph's friends and family. God, the hearer of prayers, is always there when we need comfort. Psalms 65:2

March 30, 2014

I'm sorry for your loss. may you find peace in the God of all comfort

March 30, 2014

NFL will truly missed this great man , our prayers goes out to
Mr. Wilson family , Eccles.7:1

March 29, 2014

Soon death will be no more

Grady Youngblood

March 29, 2014

Ralph Wilson is the Greatest Owner of the
NFL Buffalo Bills

March 28, 2014

With deepest sympathy to the family. during your time of grief. May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.

John Musiol

March 28, 2014

So sorry to hear of Mr Wilson's passing. I will forever be in his debt for making NFL Football possible in my beloved hometown. He gave us a reason to cheer, hope and sometimes groan, but I will remember the excitement of those great seasons for the rest of my life. I am only sorry I did not get a chance to shake his hand and thank him in person. Rest in peace Mr. Wilson

Arthur Macdonald

March 27, 2014

To the Entire Family of Mr. Ralph C. Wilson,

My wife and I as so saddened to learn of Mr Wilson's passing this past Tuesday. That moment in time will forever etched in my mind.

As a high school freshman in Buffalo back in 1963 I met Ralph and Coach Saban out on the field following the last game of the season as the team lost. That was when fans were able to walk out on the field! (Maybe by fans storming on to the field, but I got to meet him and talk with him.)

Had they won, the next week we would have been in the AFL Championship Game. But that was not to be.

I had the chance to ask Mr. Wilson, "What about next year?" He said to me "Next Year were going to win the Championship." He was right!

I have never forgotten that comment to this day.

I also had the opportunity to be a member of the University of Buffalo Marching Band and be a part of the wonderful opportunity of performing the pre-game and half time shows at the old "Rock Pile" as fans often referred to it.

The greatest honor however, was becoming a High School Band Director and having the opportunity to have my students from Kenmore West be a part of the final AFL/NFL game there. What a wet, cold, December 10,1972. And the grass was history as the player's cleats had left major potholes on that field.

Only to have that experience topped by several more appearances at the "The Ralph." These too, were so special, memorable moments in the lives of these students and continues to live on after all these years.

I see former students every now and then and they have never forgotten the experiences that became reality due Mr. Wilson's team being here. Wow, What an experience he provided to our students.

These are a few of the fond experiences that I owe and wish to pay "Thanks" to Mr. Wilson's legacy. He provided opportunities to thousands with his franchise in Buffalo and his belief in our community.

I pray for God's Peace be upon the entire family and Bill's Organization. He will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.


Arthur & Sandra Macdonald, Williamsville, NY

Kerri Paul

March 27, 2014

I wish Mr. Wilson's family all the best, and hope they can take comfort knowing how much of an impact mr. Wilson had, and the legacy he leaves behind. He had a huge impact on the lives of more people then they could ever know. He had a huge impact of who I am, as well as who my children are. It takes a special person to be a Bill's fan, and an even greater one to be the father of such a great team, legacy and tradiotn. Rest in Peace Mr. Wilson. You will always be in our hearts, and never far from our minds.

Y White

March 27, 2014

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this difficult time. Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and that He cares.-1 Pet 5:6,7.

Mrs. Williams

March 27, 2014

I am so sorry for your lost my sympathy and condolences goes out to Mr. Wilson's loved ones, God will give you a measure of his holy spirit to cope with your lost and very soon death and pain will be a former thing.

Joe Rotundo

March 26, 2014

You did a great job as owner of the Bills. You can rest in peace knowing that you will always be in the hearts of all true Buffalo Bills fans. You are an angel to us all. May God welcome you with open arms.

Jj's cleansers inc

March 26, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

March 26, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Janice C

March 26, 2014

Your compassion and generosity will always be remembered. Your devotion to the city of Buffalo, the players, and fans will always be cherished. May you rest in peace.

bob calamita

March 26, 2014

Thank you Mr Wilson for what you have done for Buffalo. May you RIP and god welcome you with open arms.

Forever in your debt.

Todd Sweet

March 26, 2014

As a lifelong Raiders fan, I want to personally thank Mr. Wilson for his financial assistance to my beloved team in the early days of the AFL. Without such help, the Raider Nation would not exist. R.I.P. kind Sir.

J M # 45

March 26, 2014

Rest In Peace Mr Wilson and Thank You for everything you have done for me , I will always cherish my days spent in Buffalo .

Kim K.

March 26, 2014

Rest in peace Ralph. Thanks for everything you did for the city of Buffalo and all the great memories.

angela roma

March 26, 2014

Comfort and prayers to the Wilson Family. Mr. Wilson gave the people of Buffalo such hope during the 4 super bowls. I just wanted to say Thank you. God Bless him and his family.

Buffalo Expat

March 26, 2014

Thank you for the life you lived.

March 26, 2014

I extended to the Family my deepest sympathy during this time of needed. Luke 23:42,43.

March 26, 2014

A sad day for the buffalo bills

Dan Allgeier

March 26, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wilson family. Mr. Wilson was found time to say hello to the fans. His support for Buffalo will never be forgotten.
God Bless Mr.Wilson

Jim P.

March 26, 2014

RIP Mr. Wilson. Thank you for serving our country and for all you did for the NFL. Thank you for Bills and keeping them the Buffalo Bills. You have filled my Sundays with joy regardless of a win, lose or draw.

Muriel

March 26, 2014

Sincere condolences to the family. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

Joe McCann

March 26, 2014

Wonderful person. Class act. If there were more people in the world like Ralph Wilson who were in leaderhsip positions, the world would be a lot better place! RIP. Keep the Bills in Buffalo, just like Ralph did!!

March 26, 2014

I send all of my condolences. May God be with you.

Timmy Schulik

March 26, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wilson family. We would like to thank Mr. Wilson for his service to this country in WWII. We are also so very grateful to have had the Buffalo Bills and the N.F.L. in western N.Y. for the last 50 plus years. We have been to so many great games over the years in Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium-Our thoughts are with Jim Kelly as well.
You will always be champions to us-thank you for everything-God Bless. R.I.P. Ralph Wilson.

Donald Mullen

March 26, 2014

I will always appreciate Mr. Wilson's support of Cleveland Browns fans when we lost our team in 1995. RIP.

Cynthia

March 26, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

March 26, 2014

I would like to offer my deepest condolences at this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss but please find comfort in knowing death will one day be no more.

March 26, 2014

My condolences to you and to all who knew Ralph Wilson. May God's peace be with you. Phillipians 4:6,7

carson Long

March 26, 2014

I was honored to play in the NFL in particular the BILLS in 1977. It was a greater honor to have met and and shook the hand of Mr. Ralph Wilson.

John Rice

March 25, 2014

Rest in Peace, Mr. Wilson and God Bless.

Gene Hemrick

March 25, 2014

A great loss to the Bills, the NFL and Buffalo. Rest in peace Mr. Wilson and thanks for everything!

FootballTopFan

March 25, 2014

We would like to offer our sympathy and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Ralph Wilson.

Mr. Wilson played a BIG part in the history of professional football.

Rest In Peace (RIP) !!!

Shaan Khangura

March 25, 2014

thank you for everything you have done for the city of buffalo abd the buffalo bills franchise. you give me something to be proud of and that is being a bills fan.

Thomas Reilly

March 25, 2014

To the Wilson family, Your dad was a strong and an excellent man who brought much exitement to the wny area he will be sadly missed . God bless him.

Richard Nelson

March 25, 2014

Ralph Wilson was truly a good man; he was a sound businessman that made the AFL succeed as a foundling league in the 1960's. He loaned money to both the Oakland and New England owners when their teams struggled financially prior to the 1970 Merger with the NFL. All football fans should salute him. Ralph was someone that you could talk to like you would a next door neighbor. He loved football with a passion. He also was a WWII veteran. May his soul rest in peace.

Showing 1 - 48 of 48 results

Make a Donation
in Ralph Wilson's name

How to support Ralph's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ralph Wilson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored

Sign Ralph Wilson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 8, 2014

Diana Walker posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2014

Austin Kuczek posted to the memorial.

March 31, 2014

Gary Preston posted to the memorial.