WILLIAM C. BUTLER was born in Camden in June 22, 1924 to Grace and Clarence Butler. The 1930 Census shows the family, which included brother John, 15, and sister Emma, 11,  at 1334 Thurman Street.  Clarence Butler then worked as a pipefitter for the Public Service gas company.

William C. Butler had completed three years of high school and was working as a carpenter's apprentice when he enlisted in the United States Army at Camden on October 28, 1942. He was then single. He returned to Camden after completing his military service.

William C. Butler was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on March 31, 1947 and reported for duty the next day with Engine Company 3 at 1813 Broadway in the old Eighth Ward. He was then living with his wife Constance at 553 Roberts Street in South Camden. By the spring of 1953 he had moved to  3265 Remington Avenue in East Camden. The Butlers do not turn up in any telephone directories in Camden and apparently left the city.

William C. Butler turned in his resignation from the Department effective June 22, 1953.

A resident of Burlington, New Jersey at the time of his death, William C. Butler died on August 13, 1998. Constance E. Butler joined her husband on October 29, 2000.