William Huddleston was probably born in Kentucky immediately after his parents moved there from Virginia. He was the eldest of ten children.

His first wife, Judith Huddleston, was a cousin from Tennessee. They moved to Tennessee from Kentucky. They were married in Shelby County, Kentucky before they left the area and started out their life as farmers. The family moved to Russelville, Putman County, Indiana before they came to Gillespie township in the fall of 1830.

William served as a 1st Corporal during the War of 1812 and fought with General Jackson. He was on the roll of Captain Aaron Hart's company, Kentucky Detached Militia. He enlisted on November 15th, 1814 to May 15th, 1815. The Captain was Aaron Hart and the Lieutenant was Moses Hart. It was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Davis. He never accepted a pension for his services. His sister, Gertie said "William fought in the war of 1812 for the entire period of the conflict. He served under General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans and proved himself brave and daring.”

After the birth of some of their children, William and his growing family set out for the Northwest, coming through Indiana with teams and wagons. While passing through that state in 1824, their daughter Rachel was born. She was still but a child when they reached Illinois in 1830 and settled on government land, Section 3 in Gillespie Township, Macoupin County. Judith died there in 1832. William's second marriage was with Miss Rachel Hendershott. They lived in Greene County, Indiana where he died in 1844 at 53 years of age.

His wife survived him and spent her last days in Iowa. She was connected with the Methodist Church. Although he moved to Indiana poor in worldly goods, he became prosperous and left his large family well provided for. He was a man of exemplary life and true Christian character. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Whig.18