William Timmons held a master of music degree from Vandercook College of Music and was pursuing his Ph.D. in music at the University of Alabama at the time of his death.

Bill, as he was known, taught middle school in Huntsville, Alabama, for fourteen years. He was a music recruiter for the University of Alabama. He was a member of the Itawamba Library Board and the Itawamba Historical Society, and an announcer for the Spelling Bee. He was an avid reader, gardener and trombone player.