Willie Leigh

William Ernest Leigh (1907 – 20 November 1972) was an English professional snooker and English billiards player. He was born in 1907 in Derby, England, and died on 20 November 1972, in Nottingham, England, at the age of 65. Biography William Ernest Leigh was born in Derby in 1907. His father was the licensee of the Station Hotel, Derby. He won the 1923 under-16s British Junior English Billiards Championship, defeating Frank Edwards 600–482 in the final. By 1927, having received coaching from Joe Davis and others, Leigh had turned professional.

In 1933 he entered the World Professional Snooker Championship for the first time, taking a 4–0 lead against fellow debutant Walter Donaldson before Donaldson levelled the match at 4–4. The players were also tied at 8–8 and 10–10 before Donaldson won 13–11. Leigh did not enter the championship again before it was suspended from 1940 to 1945 due to World War II. He served for five years in the Royal Air Force. With the scores at 29 points each in the last frame, and only the left, Leigh failed to complete a straightforward of the , and Newman went on to win the match 16–15.

He entered the World Snooker Championship twice more, winning two qualifying matches each time.