William Lee Miers was born on September 2, 1900, on the Miers Ranch southwest of Sonora. Known as Willie, he was the only son among the seven children of William Andrew and Belle Birtrong Miers. His parents and grandparents, Isaac and Victoria Miers and the Tom Birtrongs, were pioneer Sutton County families. He became a rancher known for his Angus cattle, Angora goats, and fine Quarter Horses, and he was also an avid game hunter. In 1943 he married Martha Robinson Moore, whose daughter was Martha Jo Jodie Moore Finklea.