Willie was a three year starter at Colbert County High School. During those years, the Indians were a perfect 30-0 during the regular season. ​As a junior he rushed for 1,016 yards and followed that with a senior season in which he rushed for 1,489 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He was voted by area coaches as the Times Daily "Most Valuable Player" in class 3A-4A as a senior and was selected to the All-State Team. Following high school he signed a football scholarship to play for the University of Mississippi where he lettered for 4 years and was the 1985 First Team All-SEC Kick Returner.