by Pat Rodgers
In the colorful world of professional wrestling, where larger-than-life characters grapple for supremacy, few stood out quite like Haystacks Calhoun. Born William Dee Calhoun on August 3, 1934, this gentle giant emerged as one of the most beloved big men in the ring during the industry’s “Golden Age” of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
William Calhoun, later to be called “Haystacks Calhoun”, became one of the sport’s biggest drawing cards. Wearing his trademark white T-shirt, overalls and a Horseshoe necklace, the 6’4 tall, almost 700 lbs Calhoun was an imposing sight for both fans and foes in the ring.
Calhoun is recognized as being among the chief pioneers for the sport’s super-heavyweight wrestling events. His extraordinary life, marked by incredible feats of strength and a heartwarming personality, left an indelible mark on the sport.
Early Years
Calhoun’s journey in life began on farms and ranches that his father worked, and the family moved often in search of employment. William always spoke fondly about his early life in Morgan’s Corner, a mythical town in Arkansas (Calhoun admitted later in life to fabricating the town) and later on a farm in Bloomdale, Texas that is located about 7 miles northwest of McKinney.
These were happy days, living with his mom and dad. He didn’t mind the chores of living on a farm, the endless work and the poverty-stricken life of a Texas dirt farmer.
Billy Dee, as he was fondly called, was an unusually large child with an extraordinary appetite. It is said that he regularly ate a dozen eggs for breakfast; and by age 14 weighed over 300 pounds. His cousin, Ted, remembers an incident as a 6-year-old visiting 12- year-old Billy Dee. Billy’s mom called to the boys, “Be careful Billy and don’t fall on Cousin Ted. You might hurt him.”
Reflecting back, Ted remarks, “It is kind of sad. He just wanted to be a kid playing with a friend; however, the joy was broken every time he was reminded that his size would not allow him that privilege.”
William’s Aunt Cara was often called his “double” because she weighed 510 pounds. When other kids made fun of William’s size, she gave him advice he never forgot.” You can’t git angry at those people who will make fun of you. You’ve got to feel sorry for them. It’s a terrible thing to look at a person and see only what’s on the outside. Because of their handicap many of ‘em will never git to know what a fine young man you are. They’ll be missing a chance to make a true friend. They are the real losers.”
Billy never forgot his aunt’s advice and developed a philosophy of “neighborliness”, one of being kind to everyone because he knew what it was like when others were not kind to him.
Billy Dee graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in Dallas in 1953. He played football with the Pleasant Grove Bobcats and was a ferocious competitor on the field, often pummeling opposing players with his sheer size. He dreamed of playing college football, but unfortunately, his lack of the mobility and endurance required on offensive lines of the era ended his gridiron hopes.
Sports meant everything to Billy, and so he didn’t let the end of his football dreams hold him back. With the advent of television, Bill Dee was exposed to wrestling for the first time and it was love at first sight.
Professional Wrestling Career
He studied all the great wrestlers, and by the time he was in the 10th grade, Billy was determined to make wrestling his life’s pursuit. When he graduated in 1953, The Bobcat Year Book records his many friends who had fond memories of their years together and encouraged him to follow his dream to become the most famous man in the ring.
Billy’s weight would continue to climb and by the time he was in his early 20’s he would tip the scale over 600 pounds. His personal physician suggested that he did not have long to live unless he reformed his diet. Calhoun ignored his doctor’s instructions; and due to his enormous size, he owned an astonishing degree of physical strength and could perform the manual labor of several men.
One day as he was working in the fields, a wrestling promotor witnessed him effortlessly moving cows across a field by picking them up off the ground and carrying them – one under each arm! And so, the legend of Haystacks Calhoun was born1.
In 1955, Calhoun made his wrestling debut under the name "Country Boy Calhoun", competing in various wrestling “territories”, which were regional divisions of the National Wrestling Alliance. However, it was his national appearance on Art Linkletter's House Party, a televised variety show, that catapulted him into the national conscience. There, he astounded audiences by tossing full bales of hay into a high loft, earning him the moniker "Haystacks Calhoun"2.
Recognizing the show business potential of his hillbilly persona, Calhoun fully embraced the character. He adopted the stage birthplace of Morgan’s Corner, a fictional town of Calhoun’s own making. He sported a bushy beard, a white tee, blue overalls, and the genuine horseshoe around his neck his father had given him for good luck. His agility, surprising for a man of his immense size, complemented his raw power. Calhoun's lovable demeanor endeared him to fans across the nation.
Calhoun always regretted that he never had the opportunity to wrestle for the World Heavy Weight Championship because the rule stated that a championship match cannot be staged between two wrestlers if there is a weight difference of more than 200 pounds. There were no 450-pound heavy weight wrestlers around.
Despite never winning a world singles title, Calhoun was sought out as a special attraction. He often competed in handicap matches and battle royals, where his sheer size made him a spectacle. Teaming up with Mountain Man Mike, the duo's combined weight exceeded 1,200 pounds. They are still today the heaviest tag team in the history of professional wrestling.
Haystack was famous for two moves that were guaranteed to finish off his opponents. One was “The Big Splash” as he flew through the air and landed on top of his opponent, crushing him beneath his 600 pounds. Another finishing hold was crushing his opponent into the corner and sitting on him until he simply gave up. According to "Haystacks lore," only one man could lift Calhoun: the legendary Bruno Sammartino.
Haystacks traveled to Japan and became an immediate tourist attraction. More than 3000 gathered at the airport to meet his plane as he became a splash hit in Asia as well as in the United States. The Japanese followed Haystack around where ever he went.
Calhoun recalled his Asian entourage year later. “After a match, the average wrestler can put on his street clothes and get lost in the crowd. But not me. I’m so big I’m always in the public eye.
Calhoun continued. “I am careful how I behave, particularly in front of kids. So many adults ignore the kids, particularly the athletes. I try to cater to them, which is why they like me. Kids look up to athletes, so I try to set a good example. If I drink or cuss in public, I am not setting a good example.”
One of Calhoun's most memorable rivalries was with fellow wrestling giant, Happy Humphrey. In a series of highly promoted altercations at Madison Square Garden, Calhoun faced off against the heaviest wrestler in the world. At over 750 pounds, Humphrey outweighed Calhoun by more than 150 pounds, but Calhoun's agility and strategy allowed him to take the majority of the decisions.
Legacy of a Great Man
Haystacks had many successful years in professional wrestling. He changed little over those years as he continued to remember his heritage. He was truly loved by his many fans who he regarded as his neighbors, just as Aunt Cara had taught him early on.
Haystack’s health began to decline in the late 1970’s and he retired from the profession he loved in 1980. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 55.
His story transcends wrestling. It's a tale of resilience, charisma, and the enduring impact of a man who defied expectations. From the Texas farm to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Haystacks Calhoun remains an unforgettable part of wrestling folklore—a true giant in every sense of the word.
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