Not much is known of William Bell's life before the his marriage to Sarah Weatherford in about 1848. According to the 1850 Census, William was a Blacksmith by trade. He was born September 8, 1826 in Mercer Co. KY, and died June 13, 1887 in Breckinridge Co, Kentucky.
In the 1860 Census, living with Wm & Sarah is an Elizabeth, age 31. There aren't any notations stating whether she is a sister or a sister-in-law and there isn't another surname listed. Sarah hasn't any sisters named Elizabeth so I think this may be William's sister. Elizabeth is not in the 1870 census for Wm & Sarah.