He assisted his father in several more commissions throughout the rest of the year, and underwent formal training in early 1900.

After his father died in December 1901, William became the principal executioner for England.

He was a small celebrity during this period among the populace, many of whom wanted to catch a glimpse of this relatively young man who was the country's executioner.

He carried out the last one to take place at Newgate Prison on 2 May 1902 and the first at Pentonville on 30 September 1902.

[5] In the summer of 1905, he served a one-month prison sentence for failing to pay money to his wife in compliance with a separation order.