Age, Biography and Wiki

Betty Willis (artist) (Betty Jane Whitehead) was born on 20 May, 1923 in Overton, Nevada, U.S., is an American graphic designer. Discover Betty Willis (artist)'s Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 91 years old?

Popular As Betty Jane Whitehead
Occupation Graphic designer
Age 91 years old
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Born 20 May, 1923
Birthday 20 May
Birthplace Overton, Nevada, U.S.
Date of death 19 April, 2015
Died Place Overton, Nevada, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 20 May. She is a member of famous designer with the age 91 years old group.

Betty Willis (artist) Height, Weight & Measurements

At 91 years old, Betty Willis (artist) height not available right now. We will update Betty Willis (artist)'s Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

She is currently single. She is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, She has no children.

Family
Parents Stephen R. Whithead
Husband Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Betty Willis (artist) Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Betty Willis (artist) worth at the age of 91 years old? Betty Willis (artist)’s income source is mostly from being a successful designer. She is from United States. We have estimated Betty Willis (artist)'s net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income designer

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Timeline

1923

Betty Jane Willis (née Whitehead; May 20, 1923 – April 19, 2015) was an American visual artist and graphic designer.

Born in Overton, Nevada, she is best known for having been the designer of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and has been attributed to being an influencer in defining modern Las Vegas' visual image.

Willis born on May 20, 1923, in Overton, Nevada, the daughter of Stephen R. Whitehead, the first assessor of Clark County, Nevada, and homemaker Gertrude Meader.

She grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada in the first two-story building that was built there.

1942

She went to Los Angeles in 1942 where she attended art school.

Willis returned to Las Vegas where she first took a job at the courthouse, then worked as a commercial artist.

She began her career as a commercial artist at YESCO, ad-art sign companies, and Fox West Coast Theaters.

She then moved on to designing neon signs at Western Neon.

She died at the age of 91 at her home in Overton, Nevada.

Willis was the only female commercial artist at her first job at YESCO, because creating neon signs had traditionally been a man’s trade.

She designed various newspaper advertisements before designing neon signs.

Willis designed many signs for motels including the Moulin Rouge Hotel, the Blue Angel Motel and Blue Heaven bar, and the Del Mar Motel.

Her designs are mid-century modernist and examples of Googie architecture.

Her signs are drawn by hand and the sign that she designed for the Moulin Rouge Hotel was her own hand lettering inspired by French-style lettering that she studied.

In her design for the Del Mar Hotel, she wanted one section of the neon to be seen from multiple angles.

Willis continued to design signs until she retired at the age of 77.

1959

It was at Western Neon that Willis designed her signature piece, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, completed in 1959.

She was approached by a salesman named Ted Rogich, who was in contact with Clark County officials, who wanted a sign that would be located on the highway and would welcome people into Las Vegas.

After studying other signs around Las Vegas and southern California, Willis created a design that was unique from other signs at the time.

It had a diamond shape, a shape that was unusual for signs, and flashing neon lights that created movement.

The word “Welcome” was created with silver dollars as the backing to attribute to Nevada's nickname, the Silver State.

The back of the sign featured the words, “Drive Carefully and Come Back Soon” that were meant to welcome people visiting Las Vegas.

Willis never trademarked the design, later saying "It's my gift to the city."

The sign has now become an icon of Las Vegas and is highlighted on many objects today.

2009

The sign appeared on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.