William Thomas Goins was born October 15, 1879, in Hackett, Arkansas (Sebastian County), son of James Riley Goines and Neomi Leonie Hampton. William had three siblings: Albert, Mattie, and Marshall. He also had nine half-siblings as his mother had an earlier marriage to James Riley Loudermilk.

The 1900 Federal Census for Bass Little, Arkansas (Sebastian County) shows W. T. Goins, a farmer, age 20, born October 1879 in Arkansas; living with his father, Riley, age 44, born in 1856 in Tennessee; and his mother, Neomi, age 55, born July 1844 in North Carolina. Also living in the household were William's siblings and half-siblings: Albert R. Goins, age 16, born March 1884; Marshall H. Goins, age 16, born March 1884; Jesse Loudermilk, age 8, born July 1891; Amos Loudermilk, age 6, born November 1893; and Richmond Loudermilk, age 3, born August 1896; all born in Arkansas.

The Arkansas County Marriages Index shows that William Thomas Goines, age 21, of Grinwood, Arkansas (Sebastian County) married May Fowler, age 24, of Gravelly, Arkansas (Yell County). The marriage took place on August 18, 1901 in Yell County, Arkansas.

Amanda May Fowler was born February 25, 1876 in Arkansas, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Fowler and Mary Isabel Boles.

The 1910 Federal Census for Bass Little, Arkansas (Sebastian County) shows W. T. Goins, a farmer, age 31, born in Arkansas; and his wife, May, age 33, born in Arkansas. Living with them were five children: Fay, age 8; Ernest, age 5; Robert, age 4; Vinita, age 2; and Roscoe, age 11 months; all born in Arkansas.

The World War I Draft Registration Cards shows that William Thomas Goins registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. He gave his age as 39, his birthdate as October 15, 1879, and his birthplace as Haskett, Arkansas (Sebastian County). He gave his occupation as a farmer in Hackett, Arkansas, and his nearest relative as his wife, May Goins, who lived in Hackett.

The 1930 Federal Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows W. T. Goins, a poultry dealer in the public square, age 51, born in Arkansas; and his wife, May, age 54, born in Arkansas. Living with them was their son, Roscoe, age 21, born in Arkansas.

The 1940 Federal Census for Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) shows W. T. Goins, a salesman, age 64, born in Arkansas; and his wife, May, age 54, born in Arkansas.

William died March 9, 1967 in Durant, Oklahoma (Bryan County) and was buried there in the Highland Cemetery. May died May 18, 1977 in Durant and was buried beside her husband.