Became the USAC regional midget supervisor after racing retirement. He later ran the NMRATA midget group. Prematurely grey-haired, Cantrell was nicknamed the Silver Fox, but initially started racing in California in 1936. He moved to midget cars in 1939, carrying on until 1942, before restarting again once World War Two was over. Willard carried on racing until he was fifty, in 1964, but he was no slouch in later years; two years before he stopped, he won the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix. He won the 1947 URA Red Circuit Title in 1947 and series overall championship in 1951 and 1952. Willard also competed in sprint cars and NASCAR and was later inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Biography last updated 2 Jul 2017