Returned to acting after he lost his bid for a Republican congressional
seat. His last film appearance was in Blind Horizon (2003), starring Val Kilmer and was
released posthumously.
Before launching his career in television and film, Willingham taught
economics at Sam Houston High School in Houston, Tx.
Unsuccessful Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives
in 2000 for the First Congressional District of Texas against
Representative Max Sandlin.
Worked as a roustabout and steamfitter in the Texas oil fields before
receiving his master's degree in educational psychology at Baylor
University and teaching government and economics at a Houston Texas
high school.
1953 graduate of North Texas State University (became University of
North Texas - May 1988) Denton, Texas USA
Had one daughter, Stori Willingham, and two stepchildren, Meghan McGlohen and John Ross McGlohen. Had one grandson, Noble Willingham III.
Buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
He was the only regular cast member of "Walker, Texas Ranger" actually born in Texas.