S
ince he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2012, Greg Willard has valiantly
fought the disease with the support of his wife of 22 years, Laurie, and their children Bryce,
Shelby and Weston, as well as many other family members and friends. He has also received
tremendous support from his colleagues in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he has
worked as a highly regarded referee for 24 NBA seasons.
In fact, his fellow NBA officials wore Greg’s number 57 on their jerseys during the NBA finals in
June to recognize him following his diagnosis.
With more than 1,500 regular season games under his belt, Greg has officiated at three Finals
games since the 2009–’10 season and has blown his
whistle during more than 130 playoff games. He also
participated in the 2006 All Star Game in Houston.
“
Greg’s professionalism and integrity have made him a
role model within the NBA community,” said National
Basketball Referees Association General Counsel Lee
Seham. “We want him and his family to know that our
thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Prior to joining the NBA, Greg spent four years
officiating in the Continental Basketball Association and
has four years of collegiate officiating experience in the
PCAA and Pac-10 Conferences.
Greg, who is 53, attended California State University,
Long Beach, as well as Orange Coast
College, where he earned his Associate
of Arts degree in 1982. From 1981 to
1991,
he worked for the City of Irvine in
its Community Services department as a
Senior Recreation Coordinator.
Greg has been involved with the Musical
Youth Artists’ Repertory Theatre (MYART),
a community-based, non-profit, educational
organization that provides young people
with the opportunity to participate in the
performing arts, as well as the Orange
County Football Officials Association. He
also helps administer many local youth
sports leagues within his community and enjoys skiing and photography during his free time.
Greg and Laurie have operated a small retail party supplies store named Party Hounz in Newport
Beach since early 2012. In addition, Greg and his oldest son, Bryce, work as a team on another
family business named Purchase Officials Supplies of California, which provides supplies and
equipment for high school and collegiate sports officials.
The Willard family resides in Huntington Beach, California.