PHOTO: Willie Ray Smith Jr. was featured in a 1999 Dallas "Morning News" series highlighting 100 years of Texas high school football. By TOM SHANAHAN A pivotal figure in Michigan State football history, despite never playing for the Spartans, died at age 77 on Jan. 29 in Beaumont, Texas. He was 77. “He was the only football player I ever idolized,” once stated Bubba Smith, the “little” brother that was a Michigan State College Football Hall of Famer…