A native of Hudson, Ohio (also a historic community), he attended Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Akron, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the latter institution. After receiving his law degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law, he practiced in Akron before moving to Upper Arlington in 1977. During his career, Bill litigated employment discrimination suits and defended electric utilities on liability claims. Bill still keeps his hand in the law, serving as a volunteer mediator with the United States District Court as well as an arbitrator on fee disputes that come before the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations.