Billy Williams (rugby, born 1925)

William E. Williams (28 March 1925 – 27 December 2007) was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales XV and Monmouthshire County RFC, and at club level for Newport RFC, as a wing, and club level rugby league (RL) for Swinton, as a wing.[1]

Billy Williams
Personal information
Full nameWilliam E. Williams
Born28 March 1925
Abertillery/Cwmtillery, Wales
Died27 December 2007(2007-12-27) (aged 82)
Telford, England
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1944–47 Newport RFC 41 25
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1945–≥45 Monmouthshire
Wales XV
Rugby league
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1947–≥47 Swinton

Background

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Billy Williams was born in Abertillery/Cwmtillery, Wales, and he died aged 82 in Telford, Shropshire, England.

Playing career

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International honours

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Billy Williams represented Wales XV (RU) while at Newport RFC in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es) between December 1945 and April 1946.[2]

County honours

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Billy Williams represented Monmouthshire County RFC (RU) against New Zealand in 1945.

Personal life

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Bill Williams' marriage to Muriel (née Hiley) (birth registered February 1926 in Swansea district – died August 2004) was registered during third ¼ 1948 in Swansea District,[3] they were married until her death in August 2004. They had one daughter Rebecca J. Williams (birth registered second ¼ 1956 (age 67–68) in Loughborough district), and four grandchildren (Rhiannon, James, Liz and Kate). After retiring from playing rugby Bill Williams became a Mathematics and Physical education teacher, and school rugby union coach at Loughborough Grammar School from 1950 to 1962,[4] and later in Broadstairs, Kent at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate.

Note

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The page on the walesonline.co.uk website entitled 'Welsh stars still had a rugby ball in wartime' states that Billy Williams had already changed code to rugby league at the time of the 'Victory International' matches. However, the blackandambers.co.uk website indicates that he was still a rugby union footballer for Newport RFC at the time. Billy Williams was definitely active playing for Wales and the Victory Internationals during World War II, as well as working in the coal mines as one of the Bevin Boys.

References

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  1. ^ "Profile at blackandambers.co.uk". blackandambers.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Welsh stars still had a rugby ball in wartime". walesonline.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. ^ "The Old Loughburian - April 2011 - The Magazine of the Old Loughburians' Association" (PDF). Old Loughburians' Association. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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