Robinson collected three World Series rings, with Pittsburgh in 1979 and as hitting instructor (a title he insisted on being called as opposed to the more common term "batting coach") and first base coach for the 1986New York Mets and 2003Florida Marlins. Players on the 1986 Mets team, especially second baseman Wally Backman and utilityman Kevin Mitchell, affectionately called him Uncle Bill.
Robinson died at age 64 in a hotel room in Las Vegas; the cause of death is unknown, although he was known to be suffering from diabetes. He was working as the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league hitting coordinator. He was in Las Vegas to visit the team's Triple-A affiliate when he died.