Bill lived in the Waikato region, in Ngaruawahia.
Bill was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to New Zealand. In 1964, Bill was working in his farm when he had a truck accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. He was 35. Only 2 years later, Bill made his international Para sport debut, representing New Zealand at the Jamaica 1966 Paraplegic Games.
Bill was then selected to be part of the New Zealand’s first Paralympic Team to compete at the Paralympic Games in Tel Aviv 1968. Bill specialised in throwing events in Para athletics. He competed in Israel in the club throw where he placed 28th, javelin where he finished 21st and discus, finishing in 13th place. His best achievement was in shot put where he missed the bronze medal by 3cm.
Bill also competed in 1970 at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Paraplegic Games and at the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin.
Bill received the Queen’s Service Medal for Community Service in 2000.
Bill passed away in 2013.
PNZ met with his son Robert Plessius in July 2020 to officially award him Bill’s ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project.
