William V Harrington was born on May 17, 1882 (according to the death certificate) to William and Tillie Harrington. He was born in Cheboygan, Michigan. The family moved to East Jordan when he was young.

In April 1906 William travelled to Aberdeen, Washington where he ran a sawmill. His brother Blaine later joined him. William took suddenly ill from acute bowel obstruction and died on June 27, 1908. Blaine accompanied the body back home to East Jordan where the funeral was held.