Starting in Scottish football, Bill Smith joined Exeter City from Norwich City in 1934 in part-exchange for Harold Houghton. He left after just thirteen league matches to join Stenhousemuir.

After playing for Scottish junior team Burnbank Athletic, Bill joined Norwich City in 1930 and in three seasons with the Canaries he made 98 league appearances scoring one goal.

Moving to Exeter City in March 1934, as part of a transfer deal that took Harold Houghton in the opposite direction, Bill’s debut came against Bristol Rovers at St James’ Park on 2 April as he played in three games before the end of the season. Unable to dislodge Charlie Miller from the left-back position in 1934/35, Bill could only muster ten league appearances and subsequently left the club to return to Scotland with Stenhousemuir. 

Bill died in 1979.