William and his brother Washington, served in the United States Army during the Civil War, in Arkansas. Their brother, Thomas, served for the Confederacy, in Texas.

William was hanged, possibly by the Anti-Horse Theft Association, when he was unable to prove ownership of two borrowed mules. He was 40 miles from where his wife and 4 children were waiting for him. His only daughter, Maydell, was living with Lucinda Wells. He had returned to Arkansas to procure the last load of belongings. He was unable to show ownership of the mules and was hanged on the spot.

'His body was recovered by his brother, Thomas, and returned to Bell County, Texas for burial.' This passage was taken from a paper found in Uncle Harve's trunk. However, Thomas died in 1895, and William died in 1901, so Thomas could not have been the one to claim William's body. Perhaps it was Washington or John. To be hanged was not a fitting end for a man who had served his country during the Civil War.

Enlistment description: 5' 8" tall, blue eyes, light hair, and fair complexion.