Willie Camper

Guicel "Willie" Camper was an American giant who was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He is notable for being one of 29 known people in medical history to have verifiably reached a height of 8 feet (240 cm) or more. By the time of his death at the age of 18, he reached a billed height of 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m).^[1] He also wore size 32 shoes.^[1] He is the 4th tallest verified man and the 2nd tallest recorded African-American, though likely being the tallest person from the time after Robert Wadlow's death. Robert was 8'11, making him roughly 4 inches taller than Willie.^[2][3]

Willie Camper
Born	1 October 1924 Memphis, Tennessee
Died	30 April 1943 (aged 18) Martinez, California
Nationality	American
Other names	The Giant, Big Willie, Willie
Occupation	Performer
Known for	4th tallest verified man and 2nd tallest African-American in history
Height	8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)

Life

Camper was born in Memphis, Tennessee and his abnormal growth started around the age of nine. As he grew older, Camper worked as a performer. His unusual growth was caused by gigantism and problems with his thyroid. Up until his death, he was said to have never stopped growing.^[3]

He died of a heart attack in 1943 while performing at a sideshow in Martinez, California. He was buried in Mendenhall, Mississippi in a coffin that was 9 ft (2.7 m) long. His burial location remains largely unknown.

See also

• Gigantism
• List of tallest people