When his father died in 1282 he was only 5 years old, and in 1283 John de Bohun paid 2,500 marks for his wardship.

In 1308 William carried the spurs at king Edward II's coronation.

When Roger Bigod, the last earl of Norfolk, died, the position or marshal of England became vacant, and William unsuccessfully claimed the office by hereditary right against Nicholas de Segrave.

The strife was so fierce that on 20 July 1311 both William and Nicholas were forbidden to attend parliament armed.

[1][2][3][4] William took part in the First war of Scottish independence, and he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn on 24 June 1314.