James “Bill” Barnes was born on October 30, 1905, in Shelton, Idaho, to William Barnes and Lucy Cleverley. He had one older sister, Eva, who preceded him in death, and two younger sisters who died in infancy. When Bill was just three years old, his mother passed away, and he went to live with his grandparents on the Cleverley farm, where he remained until the age of thirteen.

Life on the farm shaped Bill at an early age. As a boy, he went to work for his Uncle Ben, who promised him a pony in exchange for his help. Bill took on the daily responsibilities of milking cows and farm labor, and Uncle Ben kept his word—giving him a pony that Bill named William. He grew up adventurous and hardworking, with a playful sense of humor, and was well known for enjoying practical jokes.

Bill met his future wife at a Fourth of July celebration in Milo, Idaho, while watching Johnny Palmer pitch in a baseball game. Bill knew Johnny’s brother, Elvin Palmer, who introduced him to their sister. Bill and his future bride courted for three years before being married on October 13, 1927, in Milo. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Latter-day Saints Temple.

Together, they raised six children: daughters Lucy and Barbara, and sons J.D., Deloy, Keith, and Verdell.

After their marriage, Bill again worked for Uncle Ben and held several other jobs before going to work for the Campbell Livestock Company in 1934. There, he performed demanding work including butchering, herding sheep, and feeding cattle—occupations that reflected his strong work ethic and deep ties to Idaho’s agricultural life.

In 1936, Bill took a major step toward independence by leasing and operating a Utah Oil Company service station in Rigby, Idaho. This decision marked the beginning of the Barnes family’s service station business and laid the foundation for a multi-generation legacy that would continue for decades.