He was the son of William Richard Venable (1826-1873) and Sarah Cornelia Hoyt (1834-1916). He married Sarah A. Miller , daughter of Thomas Compton Miller on 15 Dec 1877 at, Atlanta, GA. William in 1874 is listed as Deputy Clerk Superior Court. William's wife Sallie predeceased him by eight years leaving him with two daughters. Two daughters survived him, Coribel Venable Kellogg and Robert Ridley "Bob" Venable Thornton Roper, she is named after Dr. Robert Ridley of Atlanta. William was a Georgia State Senator for many years and served one term as President of the Georgia State Senate. He was a member of the Atlanta Police Board, a prominent Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of all the city clubs. William and his brother, Samuel H. Venable owned and operated the Southern Granite Company which in turn owned Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain, and Pine Mountain.