William joined the Marine Corps in California in 1913. The photo's are from his assignment in Central Pacific, in the Philippine Islands and on Guam. The 1st photo shows a uniform related to the semi-dress regulations following the Spanish American War. The heavy wool shirt wasn't meant for tropical wear. The 2nd photo shows him on Guam with the work uniform used by the Corps in tropical climes. For more formal wear that uniform had a khaki cloth medium length frock coat, with a high choker type collar (in older times that was made of leather to turn cutlass strokes - Leatherneck) to go with the khaki trousers and a brown Campaign Hat.. His service was without punishment and he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal at his discharge in 1917. He was an Expert Rifleman, what else after living at the Bar O ranch, which meant he would have received an extra $10.00 a month in his pay. Will was first sent to the Philippine Islands, and was probably stationed at either Subic Bay, Cavite, or Manila. There was a chance he might have been in Mindanao, because there was an uprising on Samar at about that time. He probably did not do any service in the Sulu Sea area because there are no battles or campaigns recorded. Will's proficiency was never in question and he was recommended for reenlistment. He seems to have been a good Marine.

He served before WW1 and returned home before the war got started. After the Nation went to war he was recalled and spend time at Camp Lejune. While there he got pneumonia and was hospitalized and finally sent home as he had lung damage. He was known as an expert pistol and rifle shot and this was known in his hometown. He had spent time in the Philippines and Guam before the start of the war.

While in the hospital he met a man that was disabled and invited him back to the McCuistion ranch in Nevada. The man he brought home was named Ray Muncie, who had made a friend of a half-bred named Maj (Major) Hopi.

These two men decided to steal the young calves and put them into a box canyon and then solicit sells for the veal. During the summer, when cattle are counted it was evident that the older cows had some of their calves missing. It was said that a Marine at the McCuistion Ranch and the Maj were selling the stolen claves for veal.

According to the Tooele Transcript, on Monday 7 November 1921 at 10 A.M Charley McKellar, a neighbor heard this story and rode out to the ranch. While on his way (on the highway near the Denton-Morrison ranch some 22 miles northeast of Wendover) he met Will driving a wagon, upon noticing that he was unarmed he took out his rifle and shot Will. He fled to Box Elder County where his Uncle was the District Attorney. McKellar was a former deputy sheriff of the Tooele county. He was initially charged with murder, which was later reduced to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison for the killing of Will.

Tradition has it that Marybelle, Will’s sister, was so angry that she chased him all the way to Colorado. There is no mention of what happened to Ray Muncie or Maj Hopi, the real culprits of the cattle theft.

Below are the newspaper reports from the Ogden Standard Examiner November-December 1921.