William Rollen Adams was born on June 23, 1878 in West St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of Daniel P. and Esther "Hester" (Hiteshew) Adams.

William was born out of wedlock at his mother's home, but his parents married when he was four months old.

William grew up on a farm. 

When William was 16 and his brother Howard was 12, their mother passed away at the age of 34. Their father remarried less than two years later to Ida Rachel Hiteshew, their mother's cousin. ida Rachel was 20 years younger than their father, and only two years old than William. She gave birth to son and daughter. His half brother and sister, Oscar and Charlotte, were much younger than him, and his relationship with them was that of an uncle rather than a brother.

On August 6, 1902 William married Fannie Viola Fleegle in Pleasantville, West St. Clair township. Fannie was born on December 11, 1885 in West St. Clair Township, the daughter of John and Maria (Wonders) Fleegle.

They had no children.

William and Fannie lived all their lives in Bedford County, where he farmed and worked as a laborer. Fannie died in October 1961 at Hollidaysburg State Hospital, Hollidaysburg, Blair County. Her death ended 59 years of marriage.

William died on February 16, 1970 in Bedford County Memorial Hospital. He was 91.

He was a member of the Pleasantville United Methodist Church.

William and Fannie are buried in Stone Church Cemetery, Fishertown, East St. Clair Twp, Bedford County, PA