William Wainwright "Billy" Watkinson (16 March 1922 – February 2001) was an English footballer who played as a half back in the Football League. Playing for Liverpool, he made several appearances during their title-winning 1946/47 season. He also played for Accrington Stanley and Halifax Town A.F.C. He was born in Prescot, Lancashire (now in Merseyside) in 1922, and started his career at local side Prescot Cables F.C. He died in February 2001 in Knowsley, Merseyside at the age of 78.