Before entering federal politics, Bill played important roles as director of Agricultural Societies of Ontario, past president of the Lions Club, hockey referee with the Ontario Hockey Association and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and as an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 441, Kinmount.
Avant d'entrer en politique, Bill a joué un rôle important tour à tour comme directeur de sociétés agricoles de l'Ontario, président du Club Lions, arbitre de l'Ontario Hockey Association et de l'Ontario Minor Hockey Association, et membre associé de la Légion royale canadienne, filiale 441 à Kinmount.