In the early days of the Church, William W. Phelps served in multiple ways. He was a printer, writer, and composer of sacred hymns. He became disaffected from the Church for a while, but later returned. Brother Phelps preached the funeral sermon for the martyred Joseph and Hyrum Smith. After coming to Utah, he served in a number of civic as well as Church capacities. William W. Phelps passed away March 7, 1872.