He was born on June 22, 1837, to Oliver Winchester and Jane Ellen Hope in Baltimore, Maryland.

The couple had one known child, Annie Pardee Winchester, born June 15, 1866, who died 6 weeks later on July 25 from marasmus.

[2] After his death, his wife, Sarah, moved to Santa Clara Valley, California and became notable for building Llanada Villa, later known as the Winchester Mystery House.

[3] The William Wirt Winchester Hospital in West Haven, Connecticut, was established by his wife Sarah for the treatment of tuberculosis.

The Private Pavilion at Yale New Haven Hospital was then renamed in his honor.