William was educated at Clonmel Grammar School; at Kilkenny College; and at University College of Cork, where he qualified in 1912. During this time he became known as an all-round athlete, being a member of the first fifteen at University College, when that team won the Rugby Football Dudley Cup. He was also a good swimmer. After qualifying William became assistant to Dr J A Mather of Bristol and Dr White of Stretford-le-Hope, before going into practice in Sheffield. He died suddenly of septicemia at Beirut, Palestine. He was the son of Charles Haines (manager of the Provicial Bank, Waterford) and Sara Fitton O'Keeffe of Co. Cork; and the husband of Alice Beatrice O'Keeffe, of "Oakleigh," St. Peters Rd., Broadstairs, Kent - they had two children.