William was born on the 23rd October 1896 in Cotton’s Bridge and was the last of three sons of Lewis and Sarah Boaler. His father had been born around 1862 in Killamarsh near Sheffield and worked as a railway signalman, His mother, Sarah Povey, had been born in Halton around 1863. His older brothers, John and Lewis, were four years old and two years old, All the family were living with Sarah’s father, John Povey.
By 1911, William’s grandfather had died and the family were still living in the cottage at Cotton’s Bridge, His father was still working as a railway signalman, John was a farm labourer whilst Lewis and William were both apprentices in the cycle trade.
William was a private in the Army Service Corps (service number DM2/163951) and received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
William’s father died on the 23rd November 1922 whilst living in Station Road, Sutton Weaver and William continued living there.
William like his brother, Lewis, had become a motor engineer.
On the 19th April 1934 William married Florence Fleet at Daresbury Church. Florence had been born on the 16th November 1899 and was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Fleet living in Moss Lane, Moore.
By 1939 in addition to being a working mechanic, William had started a cycle dealership and was also a Special Constable for Warrington Borough Council (number 327). He and Florence were living with their three children at 126 Walton Road, Walton.
William died at Warrington General Hospital on the 19th July 1958 aged 61 years old, After his death Florence moved to 34 Brackley Street in Stockton Heath and died on the 5th February 1993.