Billy Boston: key obituary facts
Is Billy Boston dead? Yes. Billy Boston died on August 25, 2026, at age 92.
Cause of death: Billy Boston's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Billy Boston known for?
He was a Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer.
More about Billy Boston
Born: 6 August 1934.
Place of birth: Cardiff.
Gender: male.
Occupation: rugby league player, rugby union player.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Awards: Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Also known as: William John Boston.
Billy Boston, the Welsh rugby league player who starred for Wigan and later Blackpool Borough and represented Great Britain, died on August 25, 2026, aged 92.
Born William John Boston in Cardiff on August 6, 1934, he began his sporting career in rugby union before joining Wigan in 1953. Playing mainly as a winger or centre, he became one of rugby league’s most prolific scorers, finishing with 571 tries in his career and 478 in 488 appearances for Wigan, a club record.
He later ended his playing days with Blackpool Borough and was part of Great Britain’s 1960 Rugby League World Cup-winning side. Boston, also known as Sir William John Boston and awarded an MBE, is remembered as one of the game’s outstanding figures.