He settled in Yuma, Colorado where met the school teacher, Minnie Colby. They married and farmed ¼ of their section of land and raised corn. They maintained a cow herd of thirty to forty cows on the pasture land. They raised hogs, chickens, and sold cream and eggs. Their home became a meeting place for neighbors and travelers as three wagon trails converged nearby.

William was always looking for better ways and was not afraid to try new things. He planted some alfalfa even though “those in the know” said Colorado was too dry. It was so successful he had a great rabbit crop; grasshoppers finished what the rabbits left behind, but it was successful. He was recognized with a national DeKalb award for raising the most dryland corn bushels at acre. He went from horses and hand picking corn to tractors and machines.

When William and Minnie passed, the land went to their son, Merrill and daughter, Marleen. When Merrill passed, his son Lanny and daughter Eva inherited the land. Lanny purchased the land and deeded forty acres to each of his sons, Richard and Ryan, whose families represent the fifth generation living on the original homestead.