De la Wyle began his career as a chaplain to Robert de Bingham, which led to his appointment as warden of a bridge over the Avon connected with St. John's Hospital.

Eventually Walter de la Wyle was elected succentor of Salisbury,[1] one of the chief officers of a cathedral chapter, with responsibility for overseeing religious ritual in cathedral worship services.

This was an especially prestigious position in Salisbury since the Sarum Rite, the order of service used at Salisbury Cathedral, was quickly becoming the most popular order of service in England.

It was from the office of Succentor[citation needed] that Walter de la Wyle was elevated to the office of bishop on 29 January 1263 as the successor to Bishop Giles of Bridport.

[4] De la Wyle died on 3 or 4 January 1271.