In many ways, both Willy and Troy were in fact good fathers. They worked hard to provide for their families and tried to set an example for their sons by their own actions. Willy was extremely supportive of Biff's high school football success and went to all the games. Troy tries to instill certain values such as responsibility into his son Cory and explains to him that he shouldn't go through life worrying if people like him or not. He tells him he takes care of him not because he likes him, but because it is his duty.
Troy seems to be a bad father more visibly. He does not encourage Cory's high school football career in anyway, in fact he tells him to tell the scout he is not interested and thinks having a job is more important. His attitude toward Cory the majority of the time is cold and harsh, as if he regards his son as someone he must deal with and take care of.
Willy had a few problems of his own. First he let himself get caught with his mistress by his son, which devastated him. He also acted like his sons were perfect, which they weren't. He should have made sure his son passed math so he could have graduated, but he put that into the hands of their next-door