William was educated at St Andrew's College and Dublin University, qualifying B.A. in 1910 and M.B., Ch.B., B.A.O. in 1912. He obtained his colours on the Hockey XI. two years in succession, and represented Ireland in six International Hockey matches in 1910 and 1911. He had a distinguished career as a student in the School of Physic of Trinity College, and acted as resident pupil at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital during his final year. In 1912 he obtained the L.M. diploma of the Rotunda Hospital. He was one of the first members of the medical unit of the Dublin University Officers Training Corps. William gained a commission in the Medical Services on the 24th January 1913, and was serving at Longmoor on the outbreak of war. He was attached as Regimental Medical Officer to the 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment and proceeded to the front with them on the 13 August. During the retreat from Mons, William encountered several narrow escapes from becoming seriously wounded. Once whilst he was dismounted and dressing a wounded man his horse was shot; on another day a bullet passed through his water-bottle; then on a third occasion, when in charge of a stretcher party, a shell burst not 20 yards away on the spot where he had been standing a minuet before. He was also hit by a spent bullet and several tines by fragments of shells but remained uninjured. He was killed by a shell at Sonpir (Soupir?) when attending the wounded there, being buried at Sonpir Farm (Soupir Farm?). William was the younger son of the late Henry Wyndham Ball and of Elizabeth Ball of 5 Palmerston Park, Dublin.