Wales Rugby League (WRL), his former club Wigan Warriors and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) confirmed his death on Tuesday.
“We are sad to learn about the passing of Sir Billy Boston, aged 92,” said the WRL.
“He died in hospital just before midnight on 24 August, just four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan, to whom he had been married for 70 years.”
WRL chairman James Davies expressed the body’s “deepest condolences” to Boston’s family and friends.
“Sir Billy was quite simply a legend of rugby league and one of the greatest sportsmen Wales has ever produced,” he added.
Wigan described Boston as “a living legend” during his 15 seasons with the Cherry and Whites.
A WRU statement added that he was “one of the best loved and most iconic figures in the history of Welsh sport.”
Born in Cardiff, Boston grew up playing rugby union before switching codes to sign for Wigan in 1953 at the age of 19.
He went on to score 478 tries in 488 appearances for the club during the 1950s and 1960s and became a trailblazer for black sportsmen as one of rugby league’s greatest-ever players.
King Charles knighted him at a ceremony in June 2025 after a campaign led by local politicians and senior rugby league figures.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, an avid rugby league fan, was among those to pay tribute.
“Heartbroken to hear my friend Sir Billy Boston has died,” Burnham posted on X.
“I will miss him greatly and am thinking today of Billy’s family, still grieving the recent loss of his beloved wife Joan.
“A giant of a man in every way. Thank you, Billy, and rest in peace.” (AFP)
