He'd begun to wheeze recently, and had been bedridden for the last several weeks when his condition worsened. Hermione hadn't needed William to tell her so, but he had anyways, confirming that Silas had little time left in this world. Silas had called his solicitor, making arrangements and completing his will. He'd had a few meetings with William while she was off in the clinic, training someone to take over for her for the last couple weeks of Silas" life.