Bill was born in the town of Dumas, Arkansas where he began his musical education and training at the age of 11.  He attended grade school and high school in the Dumas, Arkansas public school system.  Through all of those years he played trombone.  Upon graduating from high school he attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas where he also played bass trombone for 5 years in various ensembles. 

 

Upon graduation he was a band director in Mountainburg, Arkansas for one year. In 1975 Bill joined the United States Army music program where he stayed for 22 years. During that time he had several major assignments that included being stationed at the United States Army Band and chorus Europe in Heidelberg, Germany and at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk Virginia for a period of 10 years.

 

After retirement he moved back to his home state and has continued to play in a number of ensembles since then. Those ensembles have included the Natural State Brass Band, Jubilation Jazz, the Pine Bluff community band, and the Delta Brass Quintet.