Larry Levi Willingham

Larry Levi Willingham, 76, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Elvie Levi Willingham and his mother, Martha Helen Willingham. He is survived by his son Brandon Levi Willingham, his brother Donald Keith Willingham (Janet), his nephew Andrew Keith Willingham (Amber) and his Grandniece Chalotte Lee and Grandnephew Oliver Keith.

Larry was born in Cullman, Alabama on Dember 22, 1948. He moved to Huffman as a juvenile, where he attended Huffman Elementary School. He graduated from Banks High School where he would play football and was a member of the 1965 State Championship football team. He was named All-state as a wide receiver. Larry was also a member of the Banks track team where he ran the 100 and was member of the state championship 440 relay team.

Upon graduation from Banks, Larry received a scholarship to play football at Auburn University. There he was converted from wide receiver to defensive back and would go on to intercept 11 passes for one touchdown and return two punts for touchdowns. In his senior year he was named first team All SEC and Consensus First Team All American. He was also selected as a defensive back on the 70s Team of the Decade

In 1971 Larry was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League. In his rookie year he became a starter at Free Safety and was also the team's Punt and Kickoff returner.

In 1974, after a brief injury retirement from the Cardinals, Larry signed a contract with the WFL where he could play in his hometown for the Birmingham Americans and later the Birmingham Vulcans. Birmingham won the WFL Championship that year.

After the league folded he returned to the NFL but due to injuries was forced to retire.

In 2003, Larry was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Upon football retirement Larry worked in the private sector and eventually settled on Real Estate. In 2017 he retired from Kaiser Realty in Gulf Shores.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Concussion Legacy, 361 Newbury St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115.

Larry will be buried at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville, Alabama on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1:00 followed by a graveside funeral at 2:00 pm.