William Alonzo Kells was the sixth of nine children born to Ralph and Ann Jane McCracken Kells. By 1870, the family had left Guernsey Co., OH, and moved to Pettis Co., MO. There his father died in 1874 and about 10 years later part of his family moved to Finney County, KS.

Will married Dorothy Pauline "Lena" Degenhart in Garden City 29 Jan 1898 and they became the parents of seven children: Ralph, Clarence James "CJ", Elmer, Edgar Christopher "Ed", Augusta Mae (Mrs. W. C. Buddenhagen), Lillie Belle (Lillian Bruce Erbland Carnegie) and Arthur William "Art". Two of the sons, Ralph and Elmer, died young. Will worked as a plasterer after not having much luck farming while his wife ran a restaurant. Shortly after 1910 the family relocated to the Altamont area in Labette County where he resumed farming. His marriage later ended in divorce.

As the result of a motor crash with a Frisco train, W. A. Kells died from injuries received when the car in which he was riding was almost entirely demolished. Mrs. C. J. Kells and her father-in-law were driving west on Main street in Parsons. The passenger train was going east and was ringing the bell for the crossing. Evidently the train was going faster than Mrs. Kells judged. She crossed the track, but the rear of the car was caught by the train. Kells was thrown out striking a pole and his daughter-in-law was trapped inside and died at the scene. Kells' death occurred at Mercy hospital. He was 74 years old. He was a retired farmer; the family resided at 1716 Kennedy, Parsons. Mr. Kells had lived around Altamont and community a number of years and was well known in Parsons. He farmed the Dr. C. S. Grant farm, southeast of town, before moving to Parsons.