William became a Methodist Circuit Rider at the age of fourteen.

In the early 19th century Rev. William Avent founded Buckhorn Methodist Church in Corinth, Chatham Co NC. church still stands, and its vesibule displays the tombstone of Rev. William Avent.

Three of the 12 children of William and Esther Watts Clegg became Methodist ministers. Rev. Isaac Watts Avent was the one who remained in North Carolina.