William Henry was the son of Prince Walrad of Nassau-Usingen and his wife, Catherine Françoise, comtesse de Croÿ-Roeulx.

They had nine children, five of which died within the first year: Henry (1708–1708), Amélie (1709–1709), William (1710–1710), Louis (1714–1714), and Johanna (1715–1716).

Four children reached adulthood: After he died in 1718, he was succeeded by his underage son Charles as Prince of Nassau-Usingen.

In 1707, William Henry founded the village of Wilhemsdorf, which was named after him.

Like his father, William Henry had a career in the Dutch army.