Wil Tirion was trained in graphic arts and has always had an interest in astronomy and especially star charts. In 1983 he became a self-employed full time Uranographer. Since then he has contributed to many atlases, books and magazines. In 1987 he received the 'Dr. J. van der Bilt-prize', a Dutch award for amateur astronomers. In 1993 this was followed by a second, more international 'award', when a minor planet was named after him: (4648) Tirion = 1931 UE.