[6] He was one of the directors[7] of the Mount Lyell Mining Company from 1892 to 1894, holding around 15,000 shares,[6] and was a Wangaratta councillor from 1875 to 1882, serving as mayor from 1877 to 1880.

Upon leaving Mount Lyell in 1894, Orr began a tour of the world, seeing mining operations in Spain and the US.

[8] In 1901 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council, representing North-Eastern Province for the non-Labor parties.

[8] Orr was staunchly against recognising trade unions and compulsory acquisition; he also dismissed the need for wage boards.

[8] William Orr lived at Wanganui Homestead, a prominent Queen Anne House in Shepparton.

Orr was described as 'one of the most progressive members of the farming community' and Wanganui 'ranked among the finest and most up to date properties in Victoria'.