William Fea was born on 27th August 1858 at St Louis, Missouri. He married Margaret Elizabeth Geier (b. 16th December 1866), the daughter of Andrew Geier and Susan Allen, on 15th March 1885 at the home of the bride's parents.

They had six children:

• Susie M Fea b. 28th March 1886, d. 19th October, 1886 She was buried at Rabbit Hollow Cemetery, Washington County, Missouri

• Thomas Michael Fea b. 25th September 1887 d. 1st January 1963

• John William Fea b. 25th March 1890 d. 5th May 1958

• Joseph Nixon Fea b. 21st June 1893 d. 7th June 1982

• Mary Ann Fea b. 15th March 1894, d. 16th April 1895 She was buried at Rabbit Hollow Cemetery, Washington County, Missouri

William died the 20th January 1897 and was buried in the Rabbit Hollow Cemetery near Potosi, Missouri