William was born at Hardwick, Gloucestershire, England a son of Sarah Duber and Charles Ballingham on July 24, 1854.

He married Emily Harriet Evans and they had six children: Charles William, Albert James, Ellen Sarah, Arthur Godfrey, Emily Ann and George Edward.

He trained horses for a rich man in England and farmed in Grouse Creek.

William died of natural causes on April 25, 1938 and is buried in the Grouse Creek Cemetery.