Bill Hellier was a wartime guest player for Exeter City during 1944/45 when, as the situation eased, a number of games were organised to constitute the first football played by the club since 1939. He played for Torquay United before the war.

Bill was on the books of Torquay United when he played for Exeter City against Plymouth Argyle in a wartime friendly in January 1945. Having been at Stalybridge Celtic, Bill had signed for Torquay as long ago as 1937 and had made 52 league appearances for the Plainmoor club prior to the outbreak of war. 

Aside from appearing for the Grecians against Plymouth, he also played against a Somerset XI at Yeovil.