Sir William Drury was the son of Sir Robert Drury of Edgerley and Elizabeth Brudenel, and the grandson of Sir Robert Drury of Hawstead and Anne Calthorpe. Sir William accompanied Lord Russell into France in 1544 during invasions by Charles V and Henry VIII; took part in a tournament for Edward VI in 1551; and participated in the invasion of Scotland in 1570. In 1574 he was appointed Lord Justice of the Council and Governor of Ireland. He died there of a fever in 1579.

Sir William's brother, Edmund Drury of Bucks, England had a son Robert. Robert Drury accompanied his uncle William into Ireland and remained after William died in Dublin. This Robert Drury of Laughlin is the ancestor of the Drurys of Ireland.

Sir William was also the brother of Sir Dru Drury of Riddlesworth and Lynstead (1532-1617). Sir Dru was a trusted knight of Queen Elizabeth and was a Gentleman Usher at her coronation in 1559; served as Gentleman of the Privy Chamber; named a member of Parliament in 1562 and 1584; and in 1586 was sent by Elizabeth to arrest Mary, Queen of Scots. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London in 1596.

According to "Elizabeth The Queen" by Alison Weir, 1998, Sir William and Sir Dru Drury were both arrested and sent to the Tower of London for several months in 1559, charged with attempted murder of controversial Robert Dudley, a friend of Queen Elizabeth; but were later released by Dudley himself. It is not known if there was ever any truth to the accusation.