Actress Holly Robinson Peete, who’s appeared in more than 15 Hallmark movies since 2015, is mourning the loss of Willie Peete, the father of her famous husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete.
In an Instagram post she uploaded on the evening of December 2, 2024, Robinson Peete shared that her father-in-law — whom she called “the kindest, best version of a man” — died that morning at age 87.
“The honor I had for nearly 30 years of this phenomenal man as a father in law was such a gift,” Robinson Peete wrote in the post, which she deleted several hours later. “We lost Willie this morning. 💔💔💔 We are just crushed.”
Holly Robinson Peete Shared What She Loved About Her Father-in-Law
In her tribute, Robinson Peete shared a video from her father-in-law’s 87th birthday in July and called him a “hard working career high school/college/NFL coach.”
According to the Arizona Daily Star, he was a star player for the University of Arizona starting in 1956, and later became the school’s first Black assistant football coach. He stayed there for 12 years, the Star reported, before spending another 15 years coaching in the NFL.
Though his accomplishments in sports were impressive, it was her father-in-law’s character that Robinson Peete wrote most about in her touching tribute, calling him “humble,” “proud” and “caring.”
“A provider and protector,” she wrote. “A loyal loving father and husband for 62 years.”
Willie Peete lost his wife Edna in early December 2022, but Robinson Peete wrote in her tribute, “Over the last two years since he lost his wife Willie has showered us with loving compliments every day and told us how much he loved us and how proud he was of everything we’ve done. Just how grateful he was for his family and his life. This was music to our ears….”
At the time of publication, Rodney Peete had not commented on his dad’s death. But on his father’s July 14 birthday, he posted about visiting his dad in Arizona and wrote, “We cherish every moment with him. He is so full of love for FAMILY, and we hang onto every word, every prayer, every funny story, every I Love You he tells us.”
Holly Robinson Peete’s Father-in-Law Had Dealt With Health Setbacks Over the Past Year
Nearly a year before Willie Peete’s death, his family gathered in November 2023 in Arizona to help him through a health scare.
At the time, Robinson Peete wrote, “Heaping healing prayers upon my awesome father-in-law Willie Peete 🙏🏾💖 who has been having some health struggles lately 🥺Extra special love to my hubby for being such a loving son/caregiver/advocate sleeping in the hospital and prioritizing his dad’s health.”
A month earlier, in mid-June, Robinson Peete shared photos from another trip to Arizona to see her father-in-law for Father’s Day.
She wrote, “This man right here!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 our dad, our Patriarch is still here and blessing us daily…with prayers, jokes, stories and love. His presence and his ‘I love yous’ are so precious right now. Willie Peete is a whole Angel on earth! Best Father/ Grandfather EVER”
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Holly Robinson Peete’s Emotional Tribute to Late Father-in-Law: ‘We Are Just Crushed’