When William P. Cushing was born on February 21, 1909, in Texas, his father, Richard, was 34 and his mother, Cora, was 23. He had three brothers and six sisters. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Private First Class in the 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. He entered service in Texas on February 24, 1942. He died on August 26, 1944 during the invasion of southern France. He is now buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, USA.