Prebendary Booth was born in 1939 and educated at Ballymena Academy, County Antrim, and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts 1960 and Master of Arts 1975. He was ordained a deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1962, and a priest in 1963.
Booth's first appointment was as curate in St Luke's Parish, Belfast, where he was stationed 1962-1964. From 1965 to 1974 he was Chaplain of Cranleigh School, Surrey, and from 1974 to 1991 he was Chaplain of Westminster School.
Additional appointments included Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey 1987-1993, and Priest in Ordinary to The Queen 1976-1993.
William Booth retired from the Chapel Royal in March 2007 after serving the Queen's household for 16 Years. He was appointed CVO by Her Majesty the Queen on 5th March 2007, and a reception to mark his retirement was held at Buckingham Palace on the 26th March 2007.