
William was born in Liverpool and relocated to Oldham when he was nine years old. His stage career includes portraying Toby Belch in Twelfth Night for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Valk in The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, and the roles of Snawley and Tompkins in Nicholas Nickleby, performed in both London and New York. He also appeared as the Club Secretary in Comedians at the Old Vic Theatre, alongside the legendary Jimmy Jewel. In addition, Bill created and performed a one-man show based on the work of Brendan Behan. On television, he played the Duke of Cleves in The Wives of Henry VIII, Sergeant Petty in The Case of the Frightened Lady, and Crookes in Strangers. His television credits also include appearances in Coronation Street, The Dustbin Men, Z Cars, When the Boat Comes In, Funnyman, Softly, Softly, Dempsey and Makepeace, and Brookside. His film work includes roles in The Ploughman's Lunch, Cicero, Blood Beast Terror, and The Witchfinder General.

Bergerac
TV • 1981

Playhouse
TV • 1974

Crown Court
TV • 1972

Not Going Out
TV • 2006

Budgie
TV • 1971

Strangers
TV • 1978

The Basil Brush Show
TV • 2002

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
TV • 1970

The Corridor People
TV • 1966

Brothers in Trouble
MOVIE • 1995

The Ploughman's Lunch
MOVIE • 1983

Provoked: A True Story
MOVIE • 2007

Baby Love
MOVIE • 1974

The Case of the Frightened Lady
MOVIE • 1983

There's a Hole in Your Dustbin, Delilah
MOVIE • 1968

Justice - Uncle Sangi
MOVIE • 1979

Pews
MOVIE • 1980

One Bummer News Day
MOVIE • 1978