William Elliott was educated at the Episcopal High School and received an LL.B. degree from the University of Virginia. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War.
He practiced law in Beaufort from 1893 to 1900 and then in Columbia until 1943. He married Miss Leila G. Sams in 1900.
A director of many business institutions, he served as President of the State Company. He was superior as a counselor to executives. His varied interests included the development of fine beef cattle and pasturage, work in the Boy Scouts and growing flowers.
“The soundness of his judgment, the keenness of his mind, the firmness of his convictions, the sameness of his philosophy — these things shall not soon be forgotten.”