Billy Wilson (February 3, 1927 – January 27, 2009) was an American professional football wide receiver who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1951 to 1960.

Born in Sayre, Oklahoma on February 3, 1927, he moved with his family to California at the age of three as his parents sought to escape the Dust Bowl that was sweeping through the prairies during the Great Depression.

He attended Campbell High School and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II.

He caught 51 passes for 840 yards and ten touchdowns to lead the team on the receiving end, which he would do for six of his next eight seasons.

[5] Wilson had his first 100-yard game with the season finale against the Baltimore Colts, catching 9 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

[6] Wilson continued his breakthrough in 1954 (the final season with Buck Shaw as coach) with recognition to follow.

Wilson for his part caught nine passes for 107 yards and one touchdown in what proved to be his only playoff game, as the 49ers never finished higher than 3rd until 1970.

He made his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl while playing in every game of the season (the first time he had done so since 1956), and he caught 44 passes for 540 yards with four touchdowns.

A. Tittle, a quarterback whose time with the 49ers matched up with Wilson's, called him "one of the fiercest competitors I ever played with" and described him as "our No.

"[12][13] Former defensive back and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula recalled "a play Billy made when he caught a pass, leaped straight up into the air over myself and two other defenders, and ran it in for a touchdown", describing Wilson as "one of the few players of another era that would excel today.

"[12] He was one of the first 49ers players to make an impact in the NFL as a receiver, with his career accomplishments all the more remarkable in an era before rule changes that increased passing and 12-game seasons, and playing for a team whose "Million Dollar Backfield" led by Tittle focused on the running game.

[14] In addition to his place among receptions, Wilson finished 7th in all-time touchdowns by a receiver at the time of his retirement, fittingly tied with a fellow 49er in Alyn Beals, whom he played with in his rookie year.

[16] He ranked fourth in touchdown catches, fifth in receiving yards and sixth in receptions in franchise history at the time of his death.

Walsh said "As I've seen the men inducted into the hall, including myself, I've thought that Billy certainly should have been enshrined some years ago.

"[1] The Professional Football Researchers Association named Wilson to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2008.

[18] After retiring from the playing field, Wilson spent 30 years working for the 49ers as an assistant coach and scout.