10 Facts About Willye White

Willye Brown White was an American track and field athlete who took part in five Olympics from 1956 to 1972.

Willye White was America's best female long jumper of the time and competed in the 100 meters sprint.

An African-American, Willye White was the first US athlete to compete in track in five Olympics.

Willye White is an inductee in the United States Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Willye White was a 16-year-old sophomore in high school when she won a silver medal in the long jump in the 1956 games in Melbourne, Australia.

Willye White won her second silver medal in 1964 as a member of the 400-meter relay team, along with Wyomia Tyus, Marilyn White and Edith McGuire.

Willye White moved to Chicago in 1960 and became a nurse, first at Cook County Hospital, then at the Greenwood Medical Center.

In those years Willye White was active as an athletics coach, preparing the national team to the 1981 World Cup and 1994 US Olympic Festival.

Willye White served as director of the Chicago Park District.

Willye White died of pancreatic cancer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to Sarah Armantrout, a longtime friend who was with Willye White when she died.