Taylor returned to an active career on the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, still commanding small ships and escorting trade.

He does not appear to have held any seagoing commands during the Napoleonic Wars, but continued to be promoted, rising to flag rank in 1811.

By 1776 he was a midshipman, and joined Captain James Cook's third voyage of discovery, serving aboard HMS Resolution.

After some deliberation, Taylor was allowed to give his evidence, as criminal trials such as courts-martial, were adjudged to be on behalf of the Crown, unlike civil prosecutions.

[2][7] On the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, Taylor commissioned the 12-gun HMS Weazel in April 1794 and served in the English Channel and the North Sea.

[2][13] He took part in the capture of Gorée from the French in April 1801, while cruising with a squadron under the command of Captain Sir Charles Hamilton.

[14] Hamilton sailed to investigate, taking with him Taylor in Magnanime, and Captain Solomon Ferris, in command of the 64-gun HMS Ruby.

[9] He settled at Greenwich with his wife Isabella and had at least one daughter, Grace, who married William Padwick, squire of Hayling Island, in 1814.

William Taylor reached the rank of Admiral of the Red before his death on 19 July 1842 at his residence at Maze Hill, Greenwich, at the age of 82.