He lived at Longdon Hall, Rugeley, in Staffordshire and was involved in a sensational divorce case in 1865.
He had married Blanche Chetwynd-Talbot, daughter of Rev.
In 1865 she brought a successful action for divorce under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 accusing him of cruelty and adultery, he counter-claiming that she had also committed adultery, fornication and incest.
Their children were put in the care of William's elder brother Sir George Chetwynd, 3rd Baronet.
He died in 1890 at his home, Longdon Hall, Brocton, Staffordshire and was buried at nearby Colwich.