His name indicates that he came from Binning, in Uphall parish, West Lothian, Scotland;[1] otherwise, his background is obscure.
He emerges on 29 November 1243 when he is styled "Prior of Newbattle" (deputy Abbot of Newbattle) and elected to be Abbot of Coupar Angus.
[2] According to Alexander Myln's 16th century Vitae Dunkeldensis ecclesiae episcoporum ("Lives of the Bishops of Dunkeld"), when William was at Newbattle Abbey he authored a vita (that is, a biography) of John the Scot (died 1203), successively Bishop of Dunkeld and Bishop of St Andrews.
[1] The vita has failed to survive.
[1] William resigned his position as Abbot of Coupar Angus on 29 September 1258.