William M. Bell was born around 1837 in Ireland to Mary Bell. He immigrated to America sometime before 1850 and settled in Hector, New York. By 1855, he was living with his uncle and aunt, John and Isabella Bell. By 1850, he was living with his uncle and aunt, John and Isabella Bell, in Hector, New York. By 1860, he was working as a farm laborer there. He enlisted in the Union army on August 30, 1862, and mustered in as a corporal in Company E of the 161st New York Infantry on October 25. The regiment took part in the siege of Port Hudson, the Second Battle of Sabine Pass, and the Red River campaign. He was promoted to sergeant on January 25, 1863. He died of diphtheria in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 13, 1865.