Peter Williamson, a World Snooker Tour referee for 30 years who retired in 2021, has passed away at the age of 77 after a long and courageous battle with illness. His departure leaves a void not just in the world of snooker, but in the hearts of players, fans, and fellow officials who knew him as a man of integrity, calm under pressure, and unwavering dedication to the sport he loved.
Born in the early 1940s, Peter Williamson grew up in an era when snooker was still largely a pub game watched by working-class Brits. But he saw something bigger — the potential for it to become a global spectacle. He didn’t pick up a cue himself; instead, he chose to stand beside the table, calling frames, reading angles, and keeping the game fair with quiet authority. For three decades, he was the steady hand behind some of the greatest moments in snooker history.
From the legendary “Black Ball Final” of 1985 to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record-breaking 147 breaks, Williamson was often the unseen architect ensuring every shot counted, every foul called, every win earned cleanly. Players like Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, and Judd Trump all respected him — not just for his knowledge of the rules, but for his ability to create calm in tense moments. “He never raised his voice,” recalled one former player. “But you knew when he spoke, you listened.”
Officiating isn’t glamorous. Referees stand for hours in silence, often overlooked by cameras and crowds. But Williamson turned that role into art. He knew every player’s style — who needed space to think, who liked a gentle reminder, who thrived under pressure. He didn’t just enforce rules — he became part of the rhythm of the game.
His retirement in 2021 wasn’t sudden. Behind the scenes, Williamson had been fighting illness for years — a battle few knew about until recently. Those close to him say he never complained. He kept officiating as long as he could, showing up even when physically weak, because he believed snooker needed him. That’s the kind of man he was — selfless, committed, quietly heroic.
Beyond the arena, Williamson was known for mentoring younger referees. He taught them patience, precision, and humility. “Don’t try to be the star,” he’d say. “Be the glue that holds the match together.” Many current officials credit him as their inspiration — proof that greatness doesn’t always wear a waistcoat or hold a cue.
His passing comes as a shock to the snooker community. Tributes have poured in from across the globe — from tournament directors to amateur clubs. World Snooker Tour issued a statement calling him “a pillar of the sport,” while players posted photos and memories on social media, many saying: “He made every match feel special.”
Peter Williamson didn’t chase fame. He sought excellence in service. In a world obsessed with spotlight moments, he chose to shine in the background — making sure others could shine brighter.
He leaves behind a wife, two children, grandchildren, and countless admirers who remember him not just as a referee, but as a gentleman who gave snooker its soul.
Rest easy, Peter. The tables will miss your calm voice. The players will miss your fair hand. But your legacy? That will live forever — in every frame called perfectly, every rule upheld with grace, every young referee inspired to follow in your footsteps.
You were more than a referee. You were the heartbeat of snooker.
