William George Wong

WONG, William George - a.k.a. Wong Hing Woo, a.k.a. Willie "Woo Woo" Wong. Passed away on Sept. 5, 2005 from acute leukemia at the age of 78. Born on Jan. 29, 1927, Woo Woo is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jennie; and two loving sons, Kevin (Deborah) of OH, and Kent (Joyce) of Newark. He had six grandchildren: Kim, Marie, Andrew and Valerie Wong of OH, and Alexandra and Nicholas Wong of Newark. He was also survived by his sister Violet Yip; brother, Henry Wong (Lillie); sister, Helen Lum (Charles); sister-in-law, Mabel Wong; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Woo Woo had an illustrious basketball career that garnered attention from anyone who had the chance to see him play. After he completed his service for the US Army he became the star of the San Francisco Chinese Basketball Team that won the first two National Oriental Basketball Tournaments in 1947 and 1948. Both years he was named the MVP. He attended the University of San Francisco where he was the first Chinese-American to play in the NIT basketball tournament. While playing in that tournament he became the first Chinese-American to play basketball in Madison Square Garden. He was also inducted into the Polytechnic High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 pm, at Old St. Mary's Cathedral on California and Grant Ave. A private family service is eminent. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the St. Mary's School Building Fund, 910 Broadway St., San Francisco, CA 94133, or to your favorite charity.