Bill’s nickname was “Earthquake”, and you’d only have to have seen him on the football field to understand why. He served as sophomore linebacker on the undefeated 1962 Medford High State Champion team, All-State fullback in 1963 and 1964, All-State basketball player in 1964 and 1965, and was labeled All-American high school football player in 1964. He played in the Oregon Shriner’s game in 1965 and that year also saw him as an All­ Conference baseball player.

Attending Oregon State University in 1966, he was named All-Pac-Eight linebacker and All-American fullback at OSU in 1967and1968. He played in the East-West Shrine game, the Hula Bowl, where he was named Most Valuable running back, the North-South Shrine game, the Coaches All-American game, and the College All-Star game against Joe Namath and the New York Jets.

Bill played professionally as a fullback with the Buffalo Bills and middle linebacker for the Oakland Raiders until a devastating knee injury ended his career in football.