William Joseph Flynn was born in Eureka, Nevada, August 10, 1887. He was the oldest son of Joseph and Catharine Booth Flynn who came to Nevada many years ago from New York. Will lived with his parents at Mineral Hill, Eureka County, and was known everywhere in that country among the ranchers and vaqueros. His even temperament and kindly disposition are remembered everywhere among his associates. He entrained with other Eureka County boys for Camp Lewis, Washington, on October 6th, 1917.

His assignment there was to the 316th Trench Mortar Battery, 166th Field Artillery Brigade, 91st Division. In the month of February, 1918, he was taken ill at the camp and his brother Joseph left at once for his bedside. He showed marked improvement for a while, but a relapse occurred which carried him away with pneumonia, March 7th, 1918. When the remains were returned to Palisade, Eureka County, for burial, the entire town attended the ceremonies. Besides his parents, a brother, Joseph Flynn, and a sister, Catherine, survive him. The deceased soldier was also a nephew of Senator C. H. Rand of Eureka County.