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I've spoken too soon. Didn't think to think that Billy was a nickname and not his full name. I even posted a link to wikipedia. Doh!
So, his full name was William David Conn Jr., son of William David Conn Sr. by Margaret McFarlannd. He was born on the 8th of October 1917. Margaret is said to have lived in Cork, Ireland as a young girl. Billy Sr. worked as a steamfitter for Westinghouse.
Billy Conn was notorious for his fight against Joe Louis on June 18th 1941 where he lost in the 13 round due to his "Irish impulses." Here are some videos of the fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf5_tL2cOag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FQFuLoVpQw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkgDTnwSprk&feature=related
Billy was in a relationship with a Mary Louise Smith before WWII, much to the resentment of her parents. Billy and his father-in-law even scrapped at one point, resulting in a broken wrist for William.
Billy and Joe Louis both were drafted into the war. When they returned, there was a rematch at the Yankee Stadium on the 19th of June, 1946. Here's an old newsreel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYBHSK-p5Mg&feature=related
After he lost the rematch, Billy never fought again. He's noted for stopping a burglary attempt in 1990 at a convenience store in 1990 at the age of 72! He died three years later in 1993 due to pugilistica dementia(common for boxers).
I believe he had 2 sons, the oldest one named Tim.
I don't know much more at this point. Here are some good reads on him:
http://www.irish-boxing.com/history.htm
http://billyconn.net/articles/BILLY_CONN_the_one_and_only_Pgh_kid.htm
http://books.google.com/books?id=xdV_JV1fbZMC&pg=PA106&dq=%22william+david+conn+sr%22&ei=n3yLR5rNIaP2iwGj77DDBQ&sig=t3tfpVUUyrO8CA7vFPJiqpuKeHc#PPA107,M1
And this was just posted in the paper a few days ago:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08006/846492-42.stm
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