Parents remember Dagenham snooker champion’s heart of gold

Billy O'Connor with five-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan (Image: Archant)

Billy O’Connor, 18, was given two days to live when he was diagnosed with a germ cell tumour aged 15 but defied the odds to battle the illness.

He was rushed to Queen’s Hospital on Monday last week after collapsing suddenly at his home in Ivyhouse Road, Dagenham, and died less than 48 hours later.

Mum Debbie O’Connor, 55, said she and husband Barry, 57, will remember their only child for his kindness.

“He had this brilliant smile,” she said. “Me and his dad were so proud of him because he always wanted to help other people – he was my precious son.”

Two months before his diagnosis, Billy captained the England under-16 snooker team after training at Grove Snooker Academy in Romford, which nurtured five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.

And despite his illness, the All Saints School pupil spent his final years raising cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust, raising more than £11,000 with a 24-hour snooker tournament in August last year.

Barry said it was typical of his son to put others first.

“Even though he was going through that, he had a heart of gold and just wanted to help everyone else,” he said. “He was never miserable no matter what pain he was going through – he was so strong. He kept going and going and wouldn’t give up and he always had a great big smile on his face whenever he walked in the door.”

Billy won last year’s Champions of Champions tournament at Upton Park Snooker Centre and he was planning another 24-hour fundraiser.

“When he was organising it I said: ‘Billy, I’m not doing another 24-hours,’” Barry said. “But we will do something in memory of Billy.”

He and Debbie invite friends and family to remember Billy at his funeral on Tuesday at Holy Family Church in Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, from 10am.

Billy will then be buried at Eastbrookend Cemetery.