William Thirlaway (1 October 1896 – 1983) was an English professional footballer who played as an outside left.
He began his career at non-league side Usworth Colliery before moving into league football when he signed for West Ham United in 1921.
In March 1927 he joined Cardiff City, making his debut in a 2–2 draw with Sunderland.
He left the club at the end of the 1928–29 season and returned to non-league football with Tunbridge Wells Rangers.
This biographical article related to association football in England, about a forward born in the 1890s, is a stub.