William' father lost at sea, he was raised by his Mother. While a young lad studying the ministry he work for and resided with Col. Arthur Tremayne on the Carclew estates where he meet Jenny Lawry and her girl friend when they trespassed. January 14, 1896 Col. Arthur Tremayne presented a Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, to William.
William studied a course on the Bible and doctrine, in the study group with him was Will Combellack who he formed a life long friendship with. William had a traveling grocery, a large covered wagon, with shelves all through it. He sold staple groceries, canned goods, brooms, tin ware and many other household goods. Once a week he came by his friend Will', usually around noon, fed and watered his horse, at Will' blacksmith shop in Mylor and there was always a pot of tea, and would sit on a bench provided for customers comfort and ate his sack lunch, and helped himself to a spot of tea while having an enjoyable visit. When his horse needed shoeing, or a wheel needed repaired Will did it for him.
William received a letter from a friend, Rev Walden Geach who was a member of the Detroit Michigan (USA) Conference, there was a Methodist Church in Shabbona Michigan that was in need of a minister.
Leaving for America January 1907 from Penryn England to board the ship ‘Arabic' at the Liverpool port arrived at Ellis Island January 25, 1907 and traveled to Shabbona Michigan to pastor their Methodist Church.
October 1907 William sent for his bride to be, Jenny Lawry. Jenny left Porthtowen England to board the ship ‘New York' in Southhampton and arrived at Ellis Island on October 20, 1907 where William met her after traveling from Shabbona Michigan. William and Jenny were married October 21, 1907 in Brooklyn, New York, Kings County, then returning to Shabbona Michigan.
They had 6 children:
Opre Kathrine, b September 11, 1908 in Shabbona, Michigan; Sanilac County;
Anne Jane, b July 15, 1912 in Ruby, Michigan; St. Clair County;
Miriam Lawry, b August 09, 1913 in Washington, Michigan; Macomb County;
William Edward, b May 08, 1915 in Deckerville, Michigan; Sanilac County;
William James, b March 27, 1917 in Deckerville, Michigan; Sanilac County;
Alice Opre, b October 28, 1918 in Deckerville, Michigan; Sanilac County.

Residences and Pastor:
1907 – 1908 Shabbona, Michigan
1909 Forester, Michigan
1910 – 1912 Ruby, Michigan
1913 Davis & Washington, Michigan
1914 Owendale, Michigan
1915 – 1920 Deckerville, Michigan
1921 – 1922 Cass City, Michigan
1923 – 1931 Northville, Michigan
1932 – 1939 Belleville, Michigan
June 19, 1940 Northville Township, Michigan (retired)
William & Jenny like to spend time in Bay View during Hay Fever season in Northville Township and winter in Florida.