St. William of Vercelli was born to a noble family in 1085 in Vercelli, Italy. After making a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, when he was 14, he decided to devote his life to God. He attracted many followers while living as a hermit in Monte Vergine. He formed the Hermits of Monte Vergine (Williamites) with a Benedictine-based rule, in 1119. He served as an advisor to King Roger I of Naples and founded monasteries in that region. St. William of Vercelli died in 1142 of natural causes.