[2] In 1846, Grace sailed for New York against the wishes of his father, and worked as a printer's devil and a shoemaker's helper before returning to Ireland in 1848.

[4] William and his father, James Grace, traveled to Callao, Peru, in 1851, seeking to establish an Irish agricultural community.

[7] He conducted a reform administration attacking police scandals, patronage and organized vice; reduced the tax rate, and broke up the Louisiana Lottery.

Grace was a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian, at one point contributing a quarter of the aid delivered to Ireland aboard the steamship Constellation during the Irish Famine of 1879.

Together, William and Lillius had eleven children, including:[10] Grace died on March 21, 1904, at his residence, 31 East 79th Street, in New York City.