Son of Henry and Theodora Mower (1805-1894), William was a well-known and respected citizen of the town. He was not a native of Wokingham having moved there as a young man from Yarmouth. By trade he was a baker and corn merchant, forage contractor and miller (steam) with premises at 82, Rose Street and Broad Street. He resided at 63, Peach Street with his son Frank (b. 1870).
Twice married, William’s first wife, Elizabeth Harriet (Bessie) (1851-1899) was the mother of Frank, their only son, and two daughters, Minnie Theodora (1873-1957) and Emily Kate (b. 1876).
William was widely known as secretary of the First and Second Wokingham & Bracknell, Nos. 541 and 647, Starr-Bowkett Building Societies. He was also trustee of Wokingham Savings Bank and agent for the Norwich Union Fire and Life Assurance Office.
For many years he was churchwarden of All Saints Church, a position he only relinquished at Easter 1909 because of ill health. He was responsible for the erection of the flagstaff in 1899 and for donating three flags.
William died at his home after a long illness, in February 1910, and was buried beside Elizabeth, his first wife, in All Saints’ Churchyard. Mower Close was named in his memory.
Wokingham Town Museum Unique Identifier: WTH0135