Former Referee Peter Williamson Passes Away

Peter Williamson, a referee on the World Snooker Tour for 30 years until he retired in 2021, has sadly died after a period of illness at the age of 77.

From Merseyside, Peter first refereed on the circuit in 1991, having previously worked at Liverpool Airport. He took charge of many televised matches including several at the Crucible. He named his favourite match as the 2009 Shanghai Masters semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. He was the man in the middle for seven maximum breaks, and also officiated the final of the World Billiards Championship five times.

Well known for his amiable manner, Peter had many friends throughout the snooker world. WST and WPBSA send deepest sympathies to his family at this sad moment.

Fellow referee Eirian Williams said: “Peter and I started on the professional tour at the same time in 1991 and we became firm friends from the start. Known as a referee with a ‘safe pair of hands’, he was an ever-present on the circuit. We exchanged visits around four times a year where he’d stay with myself and Alison and I’d stay at his. My final visit to him was just last week. I’m going to miss him terribly, Rest In Peace Pete.”