Bill enjoyed many sports while he was growing up in North Minneapolis. His dream of being a professional baseball player was shattered when a bullet smashed through his hips during World War II. Bill continued to bowl from 1946 through 1954 even though he used a three, four or sometimes five step delivery. The amount of steps was determined by the amount of pain the injured hips were causing at the time.

Bill bowled against many touring professionals and was most often successful against them. For eight straight years, Bill averaged over 200 and rolled thirty-six 700 series. He rolled in every tournament he could, including the ABC. Bill took first place honors in either singles or doubles in Alexandria, LaCrosse, Stillwater, and Sioux Falls. Bill had a short career but he made the best of it.