As a child, William attended the Spanish Needle School located in District No. 3 in Macoupin Co, IL. William participated in the transfer of President Lincoln's body from one train to another at Carlinville, Macoupin Co, IL. His father, John Kinder Huddleston and brother, Charlie were chosen because his father was a Civil war veteran.

1880 Census, Brushy Mound, Macoupin Co, IL, FHL Film 1254232, Nat’l Archives Film T9-0232 Page 84C
                              Relation Sex     Marr     Race     Age     Birthplace
W Henry HUDDLESTON     Self     M     M     W     32     IL      Occ:     Farmer     Fa: IL     Mo: IL
Elizabeth HUDDLESTON     Wife     F     M     W     31     TN Occ:     Keeping House     Fa: TN     Mo: TN
John T HUDDLESTON     Son     M     S     W     7     IL      Occ:     At Home     Fa: IL     Mo: TN
Charles E HUDDLESTON     Son     M     S     W     5     IL      Occ:     At Home     Fa: IL     Mo: TN
James HUDDLESTON          Son     M     S     W     3     IL      Occ:     At Home     Fa: IL     Mo: TN