Private William Mance was born in Kentucky in 1894. He quit school at the age of seventeen in the ninth grade. He worked as a grocery clerk for his father. His father died at the age of fourty-two. Private Mance enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1912 and was honorably discharged in July 1915. His commanding officer stated his character was excellent. He was serving his second enlistment when the Rebellion occurred.