William Albright was born around 1809 in Pennsylvania to Jacob Albright. He married Catherine Garman, and they had at least five children: Jacob, born on March 3, 1834; Edward, born around 1836; William, born on June 6, 1841; and Cyrus and John, who were born on October 28, 1850. They lived in West Beaver, Pennsylvania, and he worked as a farmer. The family moved to Mottville, Michigan, in the 1850s, and by 1860, Albright owned $560 of real estate and $75 of personal property. He supported the Union war effort during the Civil War. After the election of 1862, he cheered that "Democrats have not gained so much as they crowed over in the whole they have gained nothing." He acknowledged that Democrats had triumphed "in a few districts...but not enough to injure the caus of Liberty & fredom yet." He denounced Peace Democrats, writing, "I dont know wether their kind of union means as they pretend to be united with the Republicans to put an end to the Rebelion; or to unite with Jeff [Davis] & his other southern & Northern Confederates."
His wife died on April 10, 1869. By 1870, he was living in Porter, Michigan, and he owned $1,600 of real estate and $150 of personal property. A decade later, he was living in his son William’s household in Riverton, Michigan. He died in Riverton on June 30, 1882.