page_title: Robert Watson Willis
section_title: Family
hierarchical_section_title: Robert Watson Willis / Family
caption_attribution_description: English: Illustration of Hinxton House, East Sheen after it was built in 1877
context_page_description: Robert Watson Willis was a British sportsman. He served as the second secretary of the Football Association from 1866 to 1867, succeeding Ebenezer Morley. He also served on the FA's committee from 1867 to 1872.
  Like Morley, Willis was a member of Barnes Football Club, and took part in the historic London v. Sheffield match of 1866. He served as secretary to the Barnes Club from 1864 to 1867, and as captain of the club from 1867 to 1870. Morley described him as "a warm admirer of the game and an excellent footballer".
  Willis was also a keen oarsman, competing in a pair with fellow footballer Robert Graham, who succeeded him as FA secretary in 1867.
context_section_description: Willis was the son of eminent Scottish physician Robert Willis.  He married Helen Graham, elder sister of his colleague and teammate Robert Graham, on 28 August 1867.  The family later lived in Hinxton House, East Sheen, whose name reflected the village of Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, where Helen spent her childhood.  The house was built for the family shortly before 1877.
  Willis died in 1892, at the age of 48.  He was survived by his wife Helen and five children.
caption: Hinxton House
exif: {}