The American did not turn professional until the age of 29 after spending eight years driving a truck for his grandfather’s fiberglass business in California. In fact, he is indebted to his grandfather for his introduction to golf when, as a ten year old, the pair would go off to a field and young Bill would catch his grandfather’s golf shots with the help of a baseball glove. Before too long he was the one hitting the balls and would later go on to play on The European Tour during the mid 1980s and early 1990s, finishing second twice: at the 1987 Jersey Open, and the Wang Four Stars Pro-Celebrity in 1990 when he was defeated in a four-way play-off. Started his European Seniors Tour career in solid fashion by finishing tied 27th at the 2006 DGM Barbados Open, but that transpired to be his best finish and a successful return to Qualifying School followed.