William Forder was born around 1838 in England to William and Maria Forder. His father was a farmer who owned $7,500 of real estate and $600 of personal property by 1860. The family immigrated to America around 1839 and settled in Washington, Indiana. Forder grew up and attended school there, and by 1860, he was working as a carpenter. He married Sarah A. Hubbard on August 28, 1860, and their daughter Melissa was born around 1862. He supported Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1860.
He enlisted in the Union army on September 13, 1862, and he mustered in as a private in the 10th Indiana Light Artillery Battery later that day. The battery took part in the Battle of Perryville, the Battle of Stones River, the Battle of Chickamauga, the siege of Chattanooga, the Battle of Lookout Mountain, and the Battle of Missionary Ridge. In June 1863, he declared, "I would be willing to sacrifice evry sent I am worth if it would crush this rebellion for what would our property be worth if this govermant is let go down." He added that he was "willing to fite them [Confederates] with Negros or any thing els." He died in a field hospital near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on May 11, 1864.