According to church records in Germany, William was born Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Burkhardt. His parents were Georg Friedrich Burckhardt and Susannah Katharina Hellwig. He had two brothers and four sisters.

He married Anna Eberhardina Landgraf and they had 10 children; George; Henry W.; William Carl; Charles; Edward; Minnie; Louise; Margaret; Augusta; and Emma.

From the Chicago Tribune, January 29, 1892
1828 - DEATH OF WILLIAM BURKHART - 1892
William Burkhart, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Austin died Tuesday night after a long and painful illness.
Mr. Burkhart was born at Marolterode, near Langensalza, in Prussia, on the first day of November, 1828, and was therefore sixty-three years and two months old at the time of his death.
He came to America in the spring of 1847, stayed one year in Buffalo, NY and came to Chicago in the spring of 1848.
He moved to Austin in 1873 and was engaged as a market gardener on an extensive scale until 1890, when he retired from active business all together.
Mr. Burkhart was well known in musical and army circles. As far back as 1851, he organized the Chicago Light Huzzar Band, the first military band started in Chicago. In 1853 he organized the Chicago Light Guard Band and in 1854, the Garden City Band. Afterward he connected himself with the Great Western Band as leader, an organization which will be remembered with pride by the old settlers in Chicago.
He enlisted for the war with the band in Col. Fred Hecker's 24th Illinois Regiment in July 1861, and on their return was elected president of the Chicago Musicians Union which position he held for many terms, and was always prominently identified with musical circles until his removal to Austin.
Mr. Burkhart was a gentleman of genial and dignified characteristics, a good neighbor and an indulgent husband and father. Unostentatious, kind - a man whom the world was a better place for knowing.
The funeral will be held today (Friday) at 1:30 p.m., from the residence on superior Street. Rev. A.C. Chute of the Baptist Church officiating. Interment at Forest Home Cemetery.