Willie Willey Rock

Willie Willey was a controversial fixture to the Spokane community for decades. He shook up the city after his move from Iowa in 1905, selling old car parts, animals, and post cards of himself to make a living. He was remembered by locals not by his outrageous acts, but by the kindness of his character. Thus he earned the nickname, “Spokane’s Ambassador of Good Will.”

His outrageous acts were not few, however. He defied the conservative sensibilities of dress in the early twentieth century and was also known as “Nature Boy” for the minimal clothing he wore. That made him unfriendly with the law, where during a decade of travels, in Chicago, he was arrested for wearing only his favored khaki shorts.

He returned to Spokane because he claimed in 1951 “this place is no worse than any other place.” The police grew tired of arresting him every time they were informed he wore his signature lack-of-outfit, and they stopped arresting him, and he was allowed to live like he always wanted.

Despite his widespread adoration within the Spokane community, a dedication to his memory was controversial even decades after his death from an automobile accident. Park Board member Wayne Guthrie “wasn’t impressed” when Willey was living, and during a debate for a memorial, stated “And I’m not impressed now.” During his absence two months later, a revote allowed the rock to be dedicated to Willie Willey.