William H. Corbin was born around 1844, either in Ohio or Indiana, to Elijah A. Corbin. His father was a farmer who owned $5,180 of real estate and $2,376 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Fayette County, Indiana, and by 1860, he was working as a farm laborer.
He enlisted in the Union army on August 19, 1862, and he mustered in as a corporal in the 69th Indiana Infantry. The regiment took part in the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou and the Vicksburg campaign. He was wounded near Vicksburg in May 1863, and he died on May 25, 1863.