William Addison Dickson was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, March 31, 1870, a son of a pioneer Southern family. He received his education in the public schools of Bentonville, Drury College at Springfield, Missouri, and in Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee from which he took his degree in law in 1892.
He immediately began the practice of law as deputy prosecuting attorney from 1893-96, was mayor of Bentonville 1893-99, was twice elected Circuit Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, serving from 1919-1927.
Judge Dickson was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was active in all its work. He was married to Irene Gibson of Siloam Springs.