William Morris was born in Carmel, California in 1957. Morris was educated at California State University in Chico, California, as well as Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. In 1978, Morris arrived at the Pilchuck Glass School and found work initially as a truck driver. He soon began working with Dale Chihuly, the founder of the school, and eventually became his chief gaffer in the 1980s. During the 1980s, he had the opportunity to learn from glass masters in Venice and subsequently opened his own studio, enlisting talented artists like Rik Allen, Ross Richmond, Karen Willenbrink-Johnson, and Randy Walker. The work created in the studio soon became sought-after by collectors, reaching multiple six-figure results at current auctions. One of his primary patrons and supporters was George R. Stroemple, sharing Morris’ respect for the profound beauty of the natural world. Morris officially retired in 2007, but returned to making glass in recent years.