His will dated April 6, 1597; proved July 27, 1597 shows that William was a merchant of Poundsford, Somerset. He had manors of Barwick, Bowne, Stofoed, Somerset, Franklin and Dorset, and a manor house in Charde. Poundsford Park, owned by the Hill family, passed into the hands of the Symes family on May 18, 1581 from William's father-in-law, Robert Hill. William had a mill in West Coker and lands in Taunton. He had arms granted in 1591 (Azure, 2 scallaps, or: crest, a demi-hand, rampart and erased). His Coat of Arms was given him in 1591.