This cutler was the brother of George Bocking.  He was born in Crookes, Sheffield, in about 1822, and in 1841 was living there with his parents, Abraham and Hannah.  By 1851, William had married Sarah and, while still living in Crookes, was working as a table blade grinder.  In 1861, he had moved to Portobello and was a publican, though in the following year advertised as table knife maker at Central Works, West Street.  In 1868, he was listed as a manufacturer of butchers’ knives at Cutts Works, Division Street, but he also operated the Rose & Crown in Waingate.  In 1876, William retired from cutlery manufacture, but remained a pub landlord.  He died suddenly at Mrs Loxley’s, The Original Grindstone, Crookes, on 18 August 1878, aged 56.  He was buried in Fulwood, leaving under £1,500.