William W. Crain served as a Corporal in Companies F and A of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry between 1861 and 1865.

He applied for, and received, a disablity pension under certificate No. 745.731. The qualifying disability consisted of "piles, chronic diarrhea ad reumatism." He received a disability payment of $12.00 monthly. According to the Department of Interior, United States Pension Agency, the pension was dropped due to William Crain's death on January 30, 1912. The last pension payment was dated November 4, 1911. William Crain is buried in Chetopa, Kansas beside his wife f 58 years, Louisa Jani Bowzer Crain.

Louisa's brother, Phillip, was also in the same regiment with William Crain.