After studying in Geneva and Bonn, he joined the Austrian Army in 1848 as a lieutenant for Infantry Regiment Kaiser Franz Joseph No. 1 in Vienna. During the First Italian War of Independence (1848–1849) he was wounded several times. In recognition of his bravery, Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz promoted him to captain in the infantry regiment No. 45.
In 1866 he took part in the Austro-Prussian War as a major general, his brigade was assigned to the Northern Army and fought in the Battles of Königgrätz, Swiepwalde, Blumenau and Bratislava.
After the campaign, he arrived with his brigade in Trieste, in 1869 he was made commander of 11th Infantry Division troops in Prague and on 24 October 1869 he was promoted to lieutenant field marshal. During the Franco-Prussian War William fought on the German side against France. He also fought in the Russian-Turkish war in 1878.
He developed the military and economic interests to be taken into account plan, a large number of communication routes. The school system, especially the militarily organized Knabenpensionat in Sarajevo, developed in a short time, as well as all other branches of administration and justice.
Later years
In 1883 William was the commanding general of the XI. Corps in Lemberg. In 1889 he became commander of the 3rd Armeekorps in Graz. In 1891 he retired from the military because of the death of King Charles I of Württemberg. As the late king's successor William II had no son, William became the heir presumptive to the throne of Württemberg.
William was Württemberg General of the Infantryà la suite of the Grenadier Regiment "King Karl" (5 Wurttemberg) No. 123 and the Royal Colonel of the Prussian Infantry Regiment of Herwarth Bittenfeld (1st Westphalian) No. 13.
William died unmarried and without issue. The consequences of war injuries and a car accident in Italy affected his health. He died during a vacation in Tyrol.
The Royal House of Stuart, London, 1969, 1971, 1976, Addington, A. C., Reference: 223
L'Allemagne dynastique, Huberty, Giraud, Magdelaine, Reference: II 525
R. Zerelik in: Sönke Lorenz, Dieter Mertens, Volker Press (Eds.): The House of Wuerttemberg. A biographical dictionary. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 1997, ISBN3-17-013605-4, S. 370–371.
Frank Raberg: Manual of the Württemberg State Parliament from 1815 to 1933. Biographical Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN3-17-016604-2, p. 1051st
Franz Ilwof: Nicolaus Wilhelm, Duke of Württemberg. In General German Biography (ADB). Band 43, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1898, S. 213–218. Volume 43, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1898, p. 213-218.
Constantin von Wurzbach: Württemberg, Wilhelm Nicolaus Duke of, In: Biographical Encyclopedia of the Empire Austria, Volume 58 (1889), published by LC Zamarski, Vienna, 1856–1891, p. 253-258
References
^ abcdefghHof- und Staats-Handbuch des Königreich Württemberg (1896), "Departement des Kriegswesen" p. 313
^ abHof- und Staats-Handbuch des Königreich Württemberg (1886/7), "Königliche Orden" pp. 21, 51, 55