Married to Mary Skipworth Randolph. Clerk, Indiana House of Representatives in 1831. Served as Indiana Sec of State from 1833-37 and 1841-45. President of the Indiana State Convention in 1855 of the American "Know Nothing" Party (Whig). Defeated for U.S. House of Representaives seat by Albert G. Porter in 1856. Law partner with James F.D. Lanier and Courtland Cushing in Madison as early as 1828. One of the original incorporators of Crown Hill Cemetery. Benjamin Harrison and his wife resided with William when they relocated from Ohio to Indianapolis after being encourage to relocate in a letter from William. Former Recorder Pro Tem of Indiana Historical Society from 1842 until at least 1848. Son-in-law was Archibald Irwin Harrison, brother of Benjamin Harrison. Served as 11th Grandmaster of Freemasons in Indiana (his brother John was the 4th Grandmaster). Credited with opening the first paper mill in Indianapolis (brother John had a papermill in Madison). William sold property to Stokely Van Camp next to his paper mill on the canal on the South side to entice him to relocate his business to Indianapolis. Owned Sheets Hotel in Indianapolis which was later destroyed by fire. Had two mansions built at what is now Illinois Street bewteen 19th and 20th Street. One of three School Trustees for the Common Council of Indianapolis from 1853-1861. Served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, along with Benjamin Harrison, for 39 years. Eulogy was given by Benjamin Harrison whom talks about William Sheets in a letter published in the Virginia Magazine of History (G975.5 V8175M, Vol 18, page 109). There is no headstone marking the grave of William Harrison Sheets.