William was born on February 19, 1945 in Neodesha, KS the son of Norma Jean Byington. He attended Fredonia High School in Fredonia, KS. Bill enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 and served in Vietnam.

It hadn't been talked about like it should've until Vanderbilt's Saturday win over No. 6 Tennessee, but Mark Byington has a heck of a case for SEC coach of the year as it… It hadn't been talked ...