Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston left £200,000 fortune following his death at age of 92
Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston, who died last month aged 92, left an estate worth around £200,000 without having made a will, according to legal papers released after his funeral. Sir Billy was buried following a service at Wigan Warriors' Brick Community Stadium, the club where he became one of the sport's greatest ever players, just weeks after the death of his wife of 70 years, Lady Joan.
His son Stephen has been named administrator of the estate, which had a net value of £127,000 after deductions, and it is expected to pass to Sir Billy's three surviving children, Christine, Karen and Stephen (daughters Lisa and Angela having predeceased him). Born in Cardiff in 1934, he scored 478 tries in 487 matches for Wigan between 1953 and 1968, won three Challenge Cups and the 1960 World Cup with Great Britain, and became the first rugby league player to be knighted, receiving the honour from King Charles last year. Mourners at his funeral included Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and members of the current Wigan Warriors squad.
- Sir Billy Boston left £200,000 estate with no will
- Wigan legend died aged 92, buried at club's stadium
- First rugby league player knighted; scored 478 tries for Wigan
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Sir Billy Boston was widely regarded as one of the greatest players in rugby league history, spending most of his career at Wigan between 1953 and 1968, where he scored an extraordinary number of tries and helped the club win major trophies. Born in Cardiff in 1934, he also played for Great Britain, winning the 1960 World Cup, and last year became the first rugby league player ever to be knighted.
He died last month at the age of 92, only weeks after the death of his wife, Lady Joan, to whom he had been married for 70 years. His funeral was held at Wigan Warriors' current home ground and drew senior political figures as well as members of the modern-day team, reflecting his standing well beyond the sport itself.
He is survived by three of his five children. The details of his finances have come to light through the routine legal process that follows when someone dies without leaving a will, which sets out how an estate is valued and shared among surviving relatives.