Today, the snooker world took farewell of Billy O’Connor, a talented young snooker player, but more importantly a very nice, selfless and ever brave person.
Worldsnooker pays tribute to Billy
Tuesday 22 Dec 2015 01:28PM
Friends and family of Billy O’Connor gathered in Dagenham today for the funeral of the former England junior captain who sadly died this month at the age of 18.
Snooker players including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Bingham, Judd Trump, Jack Lisowski, Oliver Lines and Sean O’Sullivan were there to remember Billy, whose brave three-year battle with cancer ended on December 9th.
Billy first played snooker at the age of three and first represented England in 2009. He went on to captain the under-16 team when they won the Home Internationals title in 2012.
Last year he organised an 24-hour snooker marathon at Upton Park Snooker Club which raised £11,000 – for more details click here.
He continued to play snooker in between his treatment for illness, and as recently as September reached the last 16 of an EASB Premier Tour event.
Our deepest sympathies go to Billy’s parents Debbie and Barry and all of his family and friends at this sad time.
To read more about him click here
Ronnie, reigning World Champion Stuart Bingham, Sean O’Sullivan, Jack Lisowski and Django Fung were amongst the pall-bearers.
Mark King should have been there as well, as Billy’s family had asked him to be one of the pall-bearers. Mark was playing in the Senior World Championship qualifiers and did ask Worldsnooker if it would be possible to play his last match early so that he could be back in Essex in time to honour Billy. Unfortunately this couldn’t be arranged (and poor Mark lost his last match as well).
The local press also published this moving tribute to Billy
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
RIP Billy !
Losing the young Billy is tragic. Thanks to you and to the other guys for being there this sad day. He would be happy knowing that you were with him for your farewell.