- In September 2002, the high school football stadium in Cleveland, Oklahoma (Vessels' hometown) was dedicated as Billy Vessels Memorial Stadium.
- Winner of the 1952 Heisman Trophy.
- Played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (which later became the Canadian Football League's Western Conference) in 1953.
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974; first winner from the University of Oklahoma.
- Played halfback for the Baltimore Colts in 1956.
- In August 2007, a stature of Vessels was installed outside the Cleveland [Oklahoma] Events Center.
- Played for the Kitchener Waterloo Dutchmen of the Ontario Rugby Football Union (a pre-CFL league), in 1954.
- Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the first round (2nd overall) of 1953 NFL Draft.
- Played football, at halfback, for the University of Oklahoma, 1950-1952).
- Ashes were scattered over Owen Field in the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma.
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