Willard Noyes

Willard Noyes was an American poker player and doctor from Thompson, Pennsylvania, with over $426.5K in live tournament earnings. His most notable achievement came in October 2005, when he won the World Poker Finals, earning a remarkable $47,925. Willard Noyes passed away on July 22, 2019.

Willard Noyes: Early Life

He was born on March 31, 1933, in Scranton. After his mother passed away when he was 13, he was adopted by his stepmother..He graduated from Montgomery High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football, and was the lead in the school musical. He later attended Pennsylvania State University and then medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy. In 1960, he opened a general practice office in the small town of Thompson.

In 1971, he moved to Allentown for further training in general and vascular surgery, completing his residency at Allentown Osteopathic and General Hospitals by 1975. He practiced as a surgeon in Allentown for 23 years and received the highest honor from The American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Willard participated in his first tournament in 1993, finishing in 1st place at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket. He retired from active hospital practice in 1999 due to health issues.

Willard Noyes: Live Tournament Participation

Willard Noyes’s first recorded live cash occurred in December 1993 at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket. He finished in 1st place in a $100 7 Card Stud, winning $5,104.

In January 1995, Willard played in a $500 + 30 7-Card Stud at the Queens Poker Classic V in Las Vegas. He clinched another victory and won $33,800.

Following this, Willard entered in a $1,500 7 Card Stud Split at the 26th WSOP in Las Vegas in April 1995. He finished in 3rd place and earned $31,800.

Later in August of that year, Willard participated in a $500 + 40 Hold’em Shootout during the Legends of Poker in Bell Gardens. He finished in 1st place and $19,674 was added to his winnings.

Continuing his success, he joined in a $120 7 Card Stud at the New England Poker Classic in Mashantucket in April 1999. Willard emerged victorious winning a prize of $23,723.

In October 2005, Willard entered the $500 + 65 Omaha Hi/Lo at the World Poker Finals. His winning streak continued and he had his biggest live cash of $47,925.

Most recently, in April 2014, he competed in a $300 + 40 No Limit Hold’em  #12 during the Spring Break Poker Classic in Biloxi. Ed placed 6th and cashed $1,141.