Died today, I met him a few times, fun guy.
Died from Leukaemia at age 66, apparently. Far too young.
Apart from being an entertaining snooker player, he had one of the most impressive bald heads ever (insert cue ball joke here).
RIP Willie.
well that's sad, saw him on the road doing trick shots, anecdotes, funny guy, warm and good humor.
66 years old, way way to early
I saw yesterday he’d had respiratory failure, I met him once in Sheffield too, lovely chap, I believe he had been diagnosed with leukaemia last year
Horrible news
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Now that is very sad. Always enjoyed his dry sense of humour. RIP.
I just read this morning that he was seriously ill.
RIP Willie
Leicester Legend…. Heard many good stories about him…
So sad, met him years ago in a London hotel he was playing pool for £5 a time, needless to say he didn’t lose, great character.
RIP, really knew his stuff in commentary. Beyond all others I would say
RIP Willie
I met him years ago as he part owned a snooker club where I grew up he was a nice bloke.
I'm a little too young to have appreciated him properly as a player but I loved him as a commentator and pundit, a great ambassador of the game.
I saw he was ill, such a shame he's gone. He always came over as a genuine bloke.
F.T.F.A.
I played golf with him in a charity do,afterwards he used to do a raffle with all sports memorabilia,he was great has a speaker ,RIP
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He was my favourite commentator back when snooker was prime time on the BBC. Himself and Denis Taylor were superb together.
RIP Willie, great player and a true gentleman
RIP, too young.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thats very sad news.
Ive always been a fan, both on and off the table.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
What a shame, that's no age.
One of the players from the golden age that I enjoyed watching as a kid.
Was shocked to read this today, had no idea he was ill, always loved his commentary and will miss seeing him on TV.
I met him in Bournemouth many years ago when the company I work for used to sponsor the UK Champions Cup.
A lovely bloke with immense knowledge of the game.
RIP Willie
Another one gone from the better days of snooker. RIP
Blimey that is sad. Seemed a genuine chap. RIP
What a shame, 66 is no age.
Always seemed a really nice chap.
RIP.
Cheers,
Neil.
Very sad indeed, really enjoyed his commentary. RIP
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Rip Willie Thorne.
RIP Willie. Pretty sure he held the record for non competition maximum breaks.
Sent from my Nokia 3.1 using TZ-UK mobile app
he had a great fan club
he died so quickly and in Spain - the guy always had a smile, really sad
Met him last year at my local club doing an expo with McLeod.
Very funny chap full of banter but also talked about his darker days.
RIP.
Very sad.RIP. He came from a golden era of snooker players.