William S. Buchanan was born in 1927 to Andrew and Elizabeth Buchanan who lived in East Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania.  William was the second of four children. His father was a carpenter foreman for a building contractor.

William was a member of the 367th Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb Group, Heavy.

Staff Sergeant William S. Buchanan was killed in action on April 17, 1943 over Belgium. He is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium.

William was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.