William was born in Stony Stratford, Hertfordshire, the son of William and Charlotte. He was baptised in the town on 12th September 1846. His father was a master draper with a shop in Market Square.
William was a student at St John's College, Cambridge in 1863 and qualified as a solicitor in 1870. He opened a practice in Barnet and besides normal work, he became registrar of Barnet County Court and a magistrate's clerk.
On 15th April 1875, William married Susan Annie Coles at Olney. The couple had eight children, six surviving to adulthood. By 1893, Susan's health was giving concern. She suffered from asthma and a weak heart.
William moved the family to Worthing but kept his practice running in Barnet. He bought a house in South Street, Tarring, calling in "Corndale". William needed a place to work and relax away from the noise and distraction of his family. The house had a long back garden, so William built a tower which was known as the "Tarring Folly"
A painting of 'Tarring Folly' by Angela Levy 2011
In those days the view to the sea was uninterrupted by houses or traffic. The family immersed themselves in village and church life. William became a local councillor and often held garden parties at his home. His daughter Edith made the altar cloth at St Andrew's Church. In 1899, William leased out "Corndale" and moved to "Verulam House" in Downview Road.
Susan died here on 11th February 1910 but sadly William was not with her as he was in Barnet. He arranged for her coffin to be transported by train to London and then on to Olney, where she was buried beside her parents.
On 22nd November 1911, William married Edith (Eddie) Maud Powell at St Nicholas Church, Brighton. Just a year later on the day of their first wedding anniversary, Edith collapsed and died from a pulmonary embolism. William continued to divide his time between "Verulam House" and "The Chesnuts" in Barnet until his death in Barnet on 4th June 1917.
Probate was granted on 28th July to William Archibald Boyes solicitor, George Herbert Sismey JP and Frank Alexander Milne barrister-at-law. Effects £43975 14s 3d. One unusual bequest in the will was to William's friend James Lamplugh. He was left a cigar case which was made from the skin of the famous racehorse "Eclipse"