William Wells was born in Wetherby, Yorkshire in 1879. He was articled to William Longson in Stockport from 1895 to 1900 and remained with him as his assistant for a further year. He also attend the Technical and Art Schools in Stockport. He worked as an assistant to William James Taylor (1857-?) in Sheffield from 1901 to 1903; to Ernest James Thomas (c.1879-1951) in 1903-04; to Edward Michael Gibbs (1847-1935) and Charles Burrows Flockton (1867-1945) of Gibbs & Flockton from 1904 to 1907; and to Herbert Charles Scaping (1865-?) in Grimsby, Lincolnshire from 1907.
Wells subsequently practised as an architect in Grimsby. He was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1911. His address was given as Court Chambers, Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1911; 32 Cromwell Avuenue, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1911 and 1914; Prudential Chambers, Victoria Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1923 and 1930; and 9 New Street, Grimsby in 1939. He died in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1960
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London: The Architectural Press, 1926