But, he persevered and made a full recovery.
Several years later, after moving to the north-east, he started to learn more about Ned Kelly, and saw a parallel with his own life, in terms of overcoming adversity.
“When I was a kid, I bought Phantom comics,” he said.
“It was my favourite. But I always wondered if Australia had its own hero.
“When I got older I got hooked on Ned Kelly; to many, he was an Australian hero.
“That’s when I decided to write a kids’ book on Ned. So Aussie kids could read about an Aussie hero.”
Will grew up in a musical family, with brother John Williamson a household name who tours the world performing his music.
“Our interest in music came from our mum,” he said.
“And John had asked me to do backing vocals for him, and it was the piano player Gary Steele who encouraged me.
“So I picked up the guitar one day and started writing songs.”
Will has produced a couple of albums in his time, but his most recent release, Surrender be damned!, is based on his favourite topic and was written to accompany his book The arrival of Railman and Iron Maiden.
If you would like a copy of either, or both, you can get them from Kate’s Cottage, in Glenrowan.
The book is $15 and the CD is $25. If you buy both together the price is $30.
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