Bill died July 14, 2013, in Quincy, California, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He had a 33-year career with the USFS retiring from the Plumas N.F. in 1998. Bill served in the Army National Guard from 1957-1964.

After his retirement from the forest service, he went to work for Sierra Pacific Industries for 13 more years.
Bill served on the Quincy Community Television Board of Directors and was a longtime member of the Quincy Community Services District.

He jumped at Cave Junction in 1960 and suffered an injury on his first fire jump which ended his smokejumping career.