William Burgess (second ¼ 1897^[4] – death unknown) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Lancashire, and at club level for Barrow, as a prop, i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums.^[1]

Bill Burgess' birth was registered in Barrow-in-Furness district, Lancashire, England.

Bill Burgess won caps for England while at Barrow in 1923 against Wales, in 1924 against Other Nationalities, in 1925 against Wales (2 matches), in 1926 against Wales, and Other Nationalities, in 1928 against Wales, and in 1930 against Other Nationalities,^[2] and won caps for Great Britain while at Barrow in 1924 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (3 matches), in 1926–27 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 1928 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1929–30 against Australia (2 matches).^[3]

Bill Burgess is a Barrow Raiders Hall of Fame inductee.^[5]

Bill Burgess was the father of the rugby league footballer; Bill Burgess.

Following his retirement from playing rugby league, Bill Burgess was the Landlord of the Washington Hotel,^[6] Roose Road, Barrow-in-Furness