William Neely

Who was William Neely?

William Neely was an American actor and writer, most famous for his book Stand on It by Stroker Ace. He was born in Jane Lew, West Virginia, August 18, 1930, the son of Walter and Madge Neely. After high school, Neely attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, completing an A.B. degree in 1952. He spent a year pursuing graduate work at West Virginia University. Neely went to work for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, serving as manager of racing public relations from 1961-1966. In 1966 he left Goodyear to work as public relations manager of central region for Humble Oil Company, a position he held until 1970. Neely retired in 1970 to concentrate on writing full-time. His first book, Spirit of America, was published in 1971.

Bill Neely's best-known work was published in 1974, Stand on It by Stroker Ace, co-written by Bob Ottum. The novel, based in part on Neely's own experiences as a professional auto racer and on his experiences in the racing world with Goodyear and in part on NASCAR legend Curtis Turner, became quite popular for its gritty humor and its pull-no-punches depictions of the world of professional stock car racing. The novel was made into a 1983 motion picture, Stroker Ace, starring Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. It also inspired a song, "Stoker's Theme", by country legend Charlie Daniels.