Judge William Hirt was born in Erie County on April 13, 1881. He attended Erie High School and Princeton University. Additionally, Judge Hirt received an honorary D.C.L. from Thiel College. He was admitted to the Erie County Bar in 1908.
In March 1920, Judge Hirt joined the bench of the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County. He remained in this position until his appointment to the Superior Court in 1939. Judge Hirt served on the Superior Court for twenty years until his retirement in 1959. He passed away on June 24, 1963, at the age of 82.
During his career, Judge Hirt held numerous positions in his community: he served as vice-president of the Erie Community Chest, director of the Child-Parent Department of the Erie Welfare Bureau, director of the Erie Boys’ Club, president of the Erie School Board; and member of the Masons and Knights of Pythias.