Mr William Thomas Beavan was born in Canning Town, Essex, England on 17 February 1892.

He was the eldest child of William John Beavan (b. 1864), a ship's fitter, and Elizabeth Coombs (b. 1871), both natives of London who had married in early 1891 and he had six siblings: Agnes Amelia (b. 1894), Elizabeth Lillian (b. 1895), Doris Madeline (b. 1897), James Albert (b. 1898), Ada Alexandra (b. 1902) and Violet (b. 1907).

The family initially lived in Greater London before moving to Gillingham, Kent around 1895. They appeared on the 1901 census living at 81 Arden Street and on the following 1911 census at 95 Richmond Road. By the time of the latter record William was described as a shop assistant in an ironmongery. His employer was a Mr Vinall whose shop was in Gillingham High Street. There is suggestion that he was also engaged to be married.

He boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number 323951, which cost £8, 1s) and was on his way to Russell, Illinois to stay with a Mr and Mrs Gould, originally of Gillingham.

William Beavan died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified. His parents received £20 in relief from the Mansion House fund.

His parents continued to live in Gillingham and his father died in 1927 and his mother in 1938 they are buried in Woodlands cemetery Gillingham, Medway Authority, Kent, England (section H, plot 2048).