Son of Adam Empey & Margaret Van Steenburgh

Married Mary Ann Morgan, 16 Sep 1829, Osnabrook Stormont, Canada

Children - Margaret Minerva Amanda Empey, Julia Ann Empey, Nelson Adam Empey, Mary Eleanor Empey, Emma Empey, Joseph William Empey, Maria Empey, Brigham Young Empey, Diantha Empey, Mary Ann Alice Empey

Married Sarah Fielding, 31 Mar 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married Mary Harriet Porter, 1855, Osnbruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada

Children - Robert Nephi Empey, Charles Henry Empey, Joseph Lamoni Porter Empey, George Alford Empey, Arthur Porter Empey, Mary Harriet Empey

Married Martha Fielding, 31 Mar 1856, Salt Lake, Salt Lake, Utah

Children - James Hyrum Empey, Sarah Ann Empey, John William Fielding Empey, Martha Ann Empey, Joshua Fielding Empey, Heber Fielding Empey, Orson Fielding Empey, Viola Fielding Empey, Charles Fielding Empey

History - William Empey was one of the original pioneers of Utah. He located in Nauvoo soon afterwards and, being ordained a Seventy, became a member of the 13th Quorum. With the exiled saints he made a temporary home at Winter Quarters and was one of Pres. Brigham Young's famous company of pioneers in 1847.

With the main body of the company he traveled until they reached a point on the Platte River where it was necessary to build a ferry. Here Bro. Empey and nine other men were left to establish a ferry for the benefit of the companies of saints already on the road en route for Great Salt Lake Valley, and to raise funds by ferrying other emigrants across the river. There he remained until President Young returned to Winter Quarters later the same year, when Bro. Empey returned east with him.

With his family Bro. Empey came to the "Valley" in 1848 and located in the 15th Ward, Salt Lake City, where he became a member of the Bishopric.

From 1852 to 1854 he filled a mission to England, and for a time presided over the Hull Conference. When first appointed to that district he was, on one occasion, quite discouraged and seeing an old gentleman with white hair enter one of the houses, felt impressed to follow him. To his delight he found a family of saints who assisted him to open up missionary work in the vicinity. Strange to say none of the family knew anything of the white haired gentleman seen by Bro. Empey.

After his return home Bro. Empey was called to help strengthen the settlements in southern Utah and died at St. George, survived by a large family.

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, Brigham Young Pioneer Company (1847); Approximate age at departure: 38. He was chosen to stay and help operate the Platte River ferry. After meeting Brigham Young's returning party heading back east to Winter Quarters, he joined them. He traveled to Salt Lake Valley in 1848 with his family.

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel,
Brigham Young Company (1848), Age at departure: 39. His travel to Utah is also mentioned in his wife's obituary.

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, William Empey Company (1854); Age at departure: 46. Captain of company.