[1] His brother Renaud of Nevers was Count of Torrene until his death in 1148, while participating in the Second Crusade.
He is recorded as co-signing legal decisions by his father in charter dating to 1121 and 1134.
On 21 September 1137, Orderic Vitalis records him accompanying Geoffrey V of Anjou in his entry in the Duchy of Normandy,[3] as part of the conflict between Matilda, Countess of Anjou and her cousin Stephen of England.
William III joined Louis VII of France in the Second Crusade.
[4] On 21 August 1148, his father died and William III succeeded him in Nevers and Auxerre.