# William Bannister Winfield — The Coming of Bill character guide

> William Bannister Winfield in The Coming of Bill by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** William, The White Hope, William Bannister, Winfield

**First appearance:** 0009-ix-the-white-hope-is-turned-down

## Snapshot

A toddler of firm opinions and limited vocabulary, William Bannister commands wheelbarrow, bricks, and dying pig with the gravity of a small emperor.

## Who they are

As the only child of Kirk and Ruth Winfield, William Bannister sits at the center of a quiet custody war being waged over his upbringing by well-meaning adults. He is a determined, cheerful presence who insists on bringing his own baggage — literal and otherwise — wherever he goes, and his stubbornness makes him a small but immovable force. His alliance with the butler Keggs and his fondness for Steve Dingle quietly shape the household's loyalties, and his fate becomes the hinge on which the family's future turns.

## In the story

### [IX: The White Hope Is Turned Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/ix-the-white-hope-is-turned-down)

The 'White Hope'—a remarkable, imperious baby who talks in his own language and causes chaos during the visit to his grandfather.

### [X: An Interlude of Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/x-an-interlude-of-peace)

The healthy and active infant, enjoys playing with the dog Whiskers despite Aunt Lora's objections.

### [XI: Stung to Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xi-stung-to-action)

Referenced as the subject of Kirk's sketch that sold for fifteen dollars.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/book-ii)

The subject of Lora Porter's experimental upbringing, now a young boy being groomed for greatness.

### [I: Empty-Handed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/i-empty-handed)

Kirk's son, referred to as 'Bill'; was seriously ill with fever during Kirk's absence.

### [The Misadventure of Steve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/iii-the-misadventure-of-steve)

The baby, asleep in his sterile nursery; his godfather Steve visits but does not wake him.

### [V: The Real Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/v-the-real-thing)

Plays with bricks on the floor, asks questions about his mother and cats, and demonstrates resilience after tripping.

### [VI: The Outcasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/vi-the-outcasts)

Mentioned as the child being raised in a 'white-tile' environment; Steve wants to take him to the country.

### [IX: At One in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/ix-at-one-in-the-morning)

The White Hope, sleeping peacefully in his sterilized nursery, initially mistakes Steve for a germ but is quickly won over by the promise of an adventure.

### [X: Accepting the Gifts of the Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/x-accepting-the-gifts-of-the-gods)

The missing child, taken by Steve to Connecticut.

### [Dolls with Souls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xii-dolls-with-souls)

William is the child at the center of the custody dispute, taken by Kirk to Connecticut.

### [Pastures New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xiii-pastures-new)

The White Hope, brought to Connecticut by Steve; sleeps through most of the journey and shows confusion about country life and food.

### [XIV: The Sixty-First Street Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xiv-the-sixty-first-street-cyclone)

Wins a boxing match against a heavier opponent; falls asleep during the celebration.

### [XVI: The White-Hope Link](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xvi-the-white-hope-link)

The 'White Hope' sleeps peacefully, unaware of the changes; he is described as the link binding his parents together.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/william_bannister_winfield
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters