Former BC Lion Bill Frank dies at 76

bill frank FORMER BC Lion Bill Frank peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in White Rock at the age of 76.

Surrey businessman Jaspal Atwal (on the right in the photo with Bill) told The VOICE that Bill was a good friend of his and was all praise for him.

According to Wikipedia, “Frank began his 15-year CFL career with the BC Lions in 1962 and played in the 1963 Grey Cup.

“He was an 18th round draft pick (244 overall) in the 1963 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but the team had to send halfback Amon Bulloochs and a player to be named later to the BC Lions for his rights. He played four games with the team in 1964, before being released on September 7.

“He returned to the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts from 1965 to 1968 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1968 to 1976. He was an all-star seven times. Frank was named to the Argonauts’ quarter-century team, the Blue Bombers’ all-time dream team, and in November 2006 was voted one of the CFL’s Top 50 players (#49) of the league’s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.”

The Toronto Sun quoted Pete Martin, Frank’s former teammate as saying, “Bill was the kind of guy you wanted on your side. Bill played the game at 280 pounds and, at that time, he was one of the biggest players on the field.

“As an offensive lineman, Bill was probably one of the toughest and meanest guys I had ever had the privilege of playing with. He was a fabulous football player and he will be missed.”