As per the Season 2 DVD Audio Commentary, David Milch explains that he enjoys using Non-Actors in his episodes. From what he says, a friend contacted him regarding his son who was terminally ill & had a wish to be an actor. David Milch was apparently taken by the story & proceeded by writing a position into the story line in order to include the boy. As is evident, the boy, character William Bullock, acted in the series, and some time after his employ was complete, did in fact pass away. This boy was Josh Eriksson.