Bill was a native of Burlingame and attended Our Lady of Angels parish elementary school. After graduation from Burlingame High School, he attended Menlo College and the University of North Carolina (did not graduate). It was at UNC that he met his future wife Barbara ("Boots), and they were married in Menlo Park in 1961. Their only child, Carole, was born in 1962. Bill's career included a hitch in the United States Air Force. As a civilian, his specialty was advertising and public relations, and over the years Bill received various advertising awards.

Of local interest, Bill designed and conducted the ‘treasure hunt’ for the Burlingame (Train Station) Centennial Celebration (1994)—the clues appeared in the paper and the ‘hunt’ took place over a period of time. In his spare time Bill enjoyed working his land, fishing, golfing, and Stanford & 49er sports. During his life Bill travelled in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

(Ed. Thanks to 'Boots' and Bill Knorp for providing notes about Bill life. 5/4/2007)