William "Buckeye" Gabbard was the eldest (known) son of Michael and Elizabeth (Cundiff) Gabbard. His middle initial may have been T. and middle name, Trice, but because he was known as "Buckeye", his middle initial became B on documents.

He was born in Middle Fork, Breathitt, Kentucky, September 30,1858. (Middle Fork is in Perry County; but may have been Breathitt at the time of his birth, or may have been born near the river; Breathitt County is in the Middlefork Watershed.)He was a life-long resident of Breathitt County, Kentucky and a farmer; he served as a Corporal in Company D, 4th Kentucky Infantry during the Spanish American War. He was married at the age of 16 to Emily Ann Baker on January 15, 1875 in Breathitt County, Kentucky.

Buckeye and Emily were the parents of the following known children:

Stephen Gabbard 1875 –
Malory or Malvery Gabbard 1878 –
Cora Gabbard 1879 –
Dora Gabbard 1880 – 1952
Callie Gabbard 1884 – 1942
Matt E Gabbard 1886 – 1927
Margaret Gabbard 1888 –
John Thomas Gabbard 1892 – 1967
Charley Gabbard 1894 –
Esther Gabbard 1897 – 1963

Emily preceded him in death, passing away in 1916. Buckeye lived another 17 years and may have been married again. His sister, Margaret Gabbard Haddix was the informant listed on his death certificate and she provided the facts that he was a widower and his deceased wife's name was Eva. No record of a marriage or census has been found to show Buckeye had a second wife, so it is likely that either Emily was also known as Eva or the death certificate recorder made an error.

According to his death certificate, Buckeye died of Senile Pneumonia in Jackson, Breathitt, Kentucky while in the care of Dr. M. E. Hoge on March 1, 1933. He was interred in Gabbard Cemetery by L. Porter Ray, Undertaker.