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Born and raised in Fort Erie, Ontario, Bill’s first career evolved from what initially began as a favorite pastime as a young boy: swimming. At the age of 19, Bill was in Singapore, working as a commercial scuba diver on oil rigs in the South China Sea. He was doing what he loved—he was living his dream.

Five years later, however, Bill was living a nightmare. At 24, Bill found himself pacing a psychiatric ward—trapped in a world of illusions, delusions, paranoia and depression. He was out of reality (in psychosis) and eventually was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The diagnosis provided an explanation for his erratic and dangerous behavior, but it also spelled the end of Bill’s life as he knew it. He lost his friends, his home, and his will to live. He spent five years lying on his parents’ couch in a state of despair and depression contemplating ways to commit suicide. He tried once. And finally, after six hospitalizations and time spent in three separate group homes, Bill knew something had to change if he ever wanted to triumph over the disease and regain control of his life.

With the help of medication, therapy, and the support of his family and a new network of friends, Bill took slow but steady steps on the road to recovery. He embraced new opportunities by volunteering and getting involved with community projects. He took an interest in local politics and sat in on regular town council meetings held at the local public library.

It was there that Bill noticed a book that would change his life: “101 Way To Start a Business With Little or No Capital.” Intrigued, he paged through the book and was drawn to a story about a woman who, before the advent of VCRs, set up three separate television sets to watch three different soap operas and started a newsletter for her working friends to keep them updated on the story lines of each. The concept sparked an idea for Bill.

Within a year, Bill launched his business, Magpie Media / Publishing Inc., and published his first issue of Schizophrenia Digest, a quarterly magazine designed to bring hope and information to people living and coping with schizophrenia.

Fourteen years later, he made a move toward a different but related mental health market as he unveiled Anchor "Conquering Depression" magazine. Remembering his years in a depressive state, Bill wanted to offer a beacon of hope to others who suffered the same anguish he had encountered while battlling the dark clouds of depression. His vision became reality as the new magazine rolled off the presses in March 2008. His hope is that Anchor will become North America's trusted authority on depressive disorders providing helpful information, hope, and happiness.

In addition to producing Schizophrenia Digest and Anchor Magazine, Bill travels throughout North America to give inspirational talks about how he pulled himself from the depths of depression to become the successful businessman, husband and father he is today.

Bill resides in Fort Erie with his wife and their two small children. He also has a 20-year-old son.

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