The Bateman family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1841. They began their efforts to move to the United States in 1842. Soon after their arrival to the US, then to Nauvoo, Illinois, William married Sarah Anne Lavender on July 24, 1843 in Augusta, Iowa.

The Bateman family moved west in 1849, along with five of their children. They lived in the Salt Lake Valley until 1851 when they were sent to help settle Cedar City, Utah. They lived and helped to build Cedar until 1860 when they moved back to the Salt Lake Valley. While there, William entered into the practice of polygamy, marrying Elizabeth Lavender on June 22, 1862.

Sometime in 1865, the family moved to Richmond.