He is most likely the son of Nancy A. Cress born out-of-wedlock.
Barbara Reed tells me that the Wise co., VA marriage register says that both Willie Cress and Minnie Brown were born in North Carolina. (SV-508)
Barbara Cress Hartman says Wm. G. Cress was reared around Boone, NC but his parents were from Virginia. (SV-510)
1880 VA census: Living in Scott co. with Allen & Eliza and other relatives. Is he a son or grandson (relationship is not shown in Soundex). SV-314
1900 Wise Co., VA Census (Ancestry.com): William Cress (Mch 1877 VA) living in Gilley (next door to Henry Allen Cress) with wife, Minnie (Jan 1877 VA); married 3 yrs with son, John H. (Aug 1899 VA). (SV-201)
Note: census indicates both his parents were born in Virginia
1910 Wise Co., VA: Aged 30, married 13 yrs living with wife, Minnie (28) and 3 children: Jonnie (10); Luara (7); Robert (4) and Maggie (12/12). (SV-1432.18)
World War 1 Draft Registration: William Garison Cress; Address: Appalachia, Wise Co.; born 9 Oct 1873; Occupation: Miner, Stonega Coke & Coal; Nearest Relative: Minnie Cress, Appalachia.
1920 Wise Co., VA census: Aged 43 and says he was born in NC, living with wife, Minnie and 7 kids. (SV-508)
1930 VA census (Ancestry.com): Aged 56, living in Wise Co. with wife, Minnie (52); son, Robert (24); son, George (19); dau., Nora (13); son, Willima (12); and mother-in-law, Elizabeth Shoop (67). (SV-1043)
Note: 1900 Wise co., VA census says that Lizzie J. Cress (Henry Allen’s 3rd wife) had 2 kids and both were still living. (SV-201)