WILLIAM B. COLSEY SR. was born on October 28, 1884 in Bristol, Pennsylvania to John G. and aAda Colsey. By 1887 the family had moved to Camden, where John Colsey opened a dry goods store at 538 North 6th Street. This business, known as the Colsey Store, moved within a few years to 901 Market Street, where it remained a fixture for many years to come. John Colsey's brother Arthur also came to Camden, where he operated a grocery store before joining the Camden Police department. Arthur Colsey later became Chief of Police.

William B. Colsey marred his wife Minnie in February of 1907. He worked in the family business in Camden before taking a position with New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. The Colseys left Camden, moving to Palmyra NJ, and by 1942 to Margate NJ. William and Minnie Colsey celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at Kenney's at 531 Market Street in Camden r in February of 1957. Last a resident of Ventnor, New Jersey, William B. Colsey Sr. passed away in January of 1976, surivived by his wife, Minnie, who died in New Orleans in January of 1983.