Hoppe, Willie (William Frederick Hoppe) (hŏp`ē), 1887–1959, American billiards champion, b. Cornwall, N.Y. He practiced billiards from a very early age and gave exhibitions before he won (1906) his first world championship in Paris. Hoppe subsequently won many championships in three-cushion and the intricate balkline forms of the game, and when he retired in 1952 after winning his 12th world three-cushion championship (the last 6 in a row), he had won 51 world billiards titles in 46 years of tournament competition. He wrote Thirty Years of Billiards (1925) and Billiards as It Should Be Played (1941).

Hoppe, Willie

in full William Frederick Hoppe

(born Oct. 11, 1887, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., U.S.—died Feb. 1, 1959, Miami, Fla.) U.S. billiards player. Hoppe was taught billiards by his hotelkeeper father. A master of carom technique, he became one of the most durable of all sports champions, winning 51 world titles between 1906 and 1952. In the 1940 tournament in Chicago he was undefeated in 20 matches. He retired in 1952.

Hoppe, (William Frederick) Willie (1887–1959) billiards player; born in Cornwall-Landing-on-Hudson, N.Y. Suave in manner and cool in competition, he won 51 world titles in pocket and three-cushion billiards between 1906 and 1952. In 1911 he became the first billiards player to give an exhibition at the White House.