William "Billy" was born 25 February 1964 in Memphis, Missouri. He was just a small boy when his parents separated and was sent to live with anyone that would keep him for a while. He received his education in Scotland County, Missouri and Klickitat County, Washington. He attended both public and pay schools.

He worked as a farm hand in Washington for a year before going to Baker County, Oregon. He was employed on Burnt River farms for three years. He was very careful with his money and saved to purchase the Lancaster farm in Unity District. It was a 160-acre farm, worth $75.00 an acre. He soon bought four more farms of 160-acres each; The Payton place, Ollie Baisley Place, Jim Elms place and the Hardman place. There were good waterways on this land, out of the 960 acres, only 40 to 60 acres couldn't be farmed. All was fenced except about 40 acres. He raised hay and grain. He had quite a herd of cattle and a large herd of draft horses. He would import the finest studs he could find. Later he went more to the saddle type horses, especially Arabians.

William and Edna Laura Lancaster were married 24 December 1891 in Bridgeport, Oregon. They were very happy. There were no children and when Edna died 6 October 1910, Billy lost all interest in most everything. He soon began to loose what he worked so hard for. His cattle went first, then the farms. His horses went a few at time until when he died on 3 December 1951; all he had left was enough for his funeral expenses.

Billy was a small man with beautiful white hair and mustache He would ride one of his horses and visit around with his relatives and friends, sometimes staying for several days. He loved to talk with people and loved to talk about his horses. Most every one in Burnt River knew him as Uncle Billy.