Born in Liverpool, William moved to Oldham at the age of nine. His theatre work includes the part of Toby Belch in 'Twelfth Night' with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Valk in 'The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs', Snawley and Tompkins in 'Nicholas Nickleby' in productions in London and New York and the Club Secretaty in 'Comedians' with the legendary Jimmy Jewel at the Old Vic Theatre. Bill also starred in his own one-man show of Brendan Behan. On television, he played The Duke of Cleves in the series "The Wives of Henry VIII", Sergeant Petty in "The Case of the Frightened Lady" and Crookes in "Strangers". His television work also includes appearances in "Coronation Street", "The Dustbin Men", "Z Cars", "When the Boat Comes In", "Funnyman", "Softly, Softly", "Dempsey and Makepeace" and "Brookside". His film credits include "The Ploughmans Lunch", "Cicero", "Blood Beast Terror" and "The Witchfinder General".