McMurtry was born in Mercer County, Kentucky. His great-grandfather, John McMurtry, who descended from French Huguenots, fought in the American Revolution. Dying in the Battle of Cowpens.
In 1829, William and his young family moved to Knox County, Illinois along with his father and brother James and his wife.
William"s parents were James and Elizabeth (Lucas) McMurtry. He and his family settled in Crawford County, Indiana in 1818. lieutenant was here that William McMurtry"s home remained until his death.
McMurtry was appointed in Knox County"s first ever election in 1830 as foreman of the grand-jury of the Circuit Court.
In 1832 he was elected as the county"s first school commissioner. In 1842 he was elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he stayed until being added to the Democratic ticket of Governor Augustus French after the previous Lieutenant
Governor Joseph Wells decided not to run again. During his time in office, 1849-1853, a new state constitution was adopted as well as the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was completed.
After his term as Lieutenant Governor, William ran for office in the United States Congress in 1854 in Illinois" 4th Congressional District losing to Opposition/Republican Party candidate James Knox.
This effectively was the end of McMurtry"s political career, with respect to seeking elected office. At the outset of the Civil War, he organized and led as colonel the 102nd Illinois Infantry, which was made up of men from Knox County. William McMurtry though only served a couple of months before receiving an honorable discharge due to poor health attributed to his advanced age.
At home, McMurtry was known as a bright man, despite only modest formal education, who was an avid reader and good neighbor.
William was a free-mason and treasurer of the local Grand Lodge. William McMurtry died in Henderson, Illinois.
A town founded near his farm home after he and his family had settled there.
From 1836 to 1840, William was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.
