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Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Bill was surrounded from birth by country music. His father was well known in the Renfrew area as "the best darned square dance caller around", and it was through his Dad that Bill gained an early appreciation for good music and bands.
From his early teens, Bill’s interest in performing always warred with his interest in radio. He played in his early years with Al Utronki, Gary Perry and Gordie Bochert, as "The Pinnacle Mountaineers" and enjoyed several years with Mac Beattie and his "Ottawa Valley Melodiers". During this time, Bill also became a songwriter.
Bill’s first involvement with radio, at the age of 16, was at CHOV Pembroke. Three years later, after marrying "the girl of his dreams", Fran, the young couple moved to Northern Ontario where, for 10 years, Bill gained experience at CJKL Kirkland Lake and CKGB Timmins. The early 60’s found Bill at CKBY Ottawa’s sister station, CKOY, followed by a stint as Program Director at CFJR Brockville.
When CKBY went country, that was where Bill wanted to be and where he remained, as an Account Executive, until he was diagnosed with lung cancer and was forced to retire at age 60 in September 1999. Sadly, he succumbed to the disease on August 24, 2001.
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