From 1819 to 1823, William and his elder brother Alexander, who later became famous as a poet, stayed at the Fellenberg'sche Hofwyl Institute in Bern.

In 1848 Württemberg contributed a field brigade to the combined division of the southern German states that marched into the First Schleswig War.

The division was led by Lieutenant General Moriz von Miller; Wilhelm assumed command of the Württemberg brigade.

Most of the brigade, including Wilhelm was then moved to Upper Baden, leaving on battalion in Schleswig.

The brigade did observation work in Upper Baden, especially in the Constance district, but did not engage in any fighting.

He was an honorary member of several scientific associations and learned societies, such as the Bavarian Academy of Sciences.

In 1845, he received an honorary PhD from the philosophy department of the University of Tübingen, in recognition of his scientific endeavour.

Among his literary works were Wegweiser durch sämtliche Malerschulen und Gemäldesammlungen von W. W. ("Guide to all schools of painting and art collections by W.W.") and Graphisch-archäologische Vergleichungen ("Graphical-archaeological comparisons") and the meteorological Aufklärende Worte über Wetterprophezeihung von W. W. ("Clarifying words about the prediction of the weather, by W.W.").