From his son’s (Elmer Howard) family history:

(my father) was by trade a stonemason, brick mason, plasterer, farmer, and a butcher. He could turn his hand to most any kind of work. He was a good husband and a very kind parent. He was well known, especially for his very efficient work as a stonemason. There are many, many stonewalls still standing that were build by WJ and his gang many long years ago. (I would refer you to the history of Vandeleur, l857-l957 written by the Boland family, and is attached to this manuscript.)

The records of his son Horace’s birth in 1901, as well as his son Elmer’s marriage in 1916, also lists him as a Stonemason.

He was living in Holland Center at the time of his father’s death in 1917.

He was still living in the Holland Township as of the 1921 census, with his wife, and only Ivison (Samuel) out of the kids still living with them.

His obituary appeared in the June 18th, 1942 Markdale Standard newspaper. It mentioned that he conducteda stone mason business in Vandeleur, and that about 30 years previous to his death he moved to Holland Centre, continuing with the stone mason business. When mentioning his surviving siblings, it erroneously mentions that both George and Isaac were in Saskatchewan (as far as I know, George stayed in British Columbia until his death). The service was conducted by Rev. W.G. Wakefield.

http://www.ghosttownpix.com/ontario/towns/vandeleur.html states that William was involved (along with William Love) in constructing the Forresters Hall in Vandeleur. A few years later, these same two, along with Ed Holley, did major changes to the local church, including building an addition, moving the entire building on to a stone foundation (with a basement), and replacing the old rough cast siding with brick veneer.