William (Bill) Ward was born around 1835 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and worked as a blacksmith. He probably lived near Helena, Arksansas, by the late antebellum era. Around 1860, he began living with a woman named Mary, who eventually gave birth to six children: Sallie, born around 1869; Elizabeth, born around 1872; Robert, born July 1874; and three children whose names are unknown. He enlisted in the Union army in Helena on November 4, 1863, and mustered in as a sergeant in Battery E of the 2nd USCT Light Artillery Regiment on December 14. His enlistment records describe him as 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with black hair, black eyes, and a black complexion. His battery primarily performed garrison and guard duty, although it took part in a skirmish at Wallace's Ferry on July 26, 1864. At some point during his service, a horse fell on his leg, causing serious injury. He mustered out of service on September 25, 1865.

After his service, Ward returned to Arkansas, where he lived with Mary and their children for the remainder of his life. Although the pension office initially rejected his application, Ward eventually received a pension of $8 per month. He died on February 19, 1903. After Ward’s death, Mary and their children became involved in a property dispute with 2 White men. The plaintiffs attempted to undermine Mary’s claim to her husband’s property since their marriage was under common law. Ward’s pension file served as a crucial piece of evidence to confirm his marriage to Mary.