He was born in Plainfield, N.J., and prepared for Princeton at the Lawrenceville School. He was a member of Cap and Gown, majored in history, and wrote his thesis on Alfred Smith. 

After graduation Bill served as a first lieutenant with the Marines in Korea. He then settled on Long Island, where he worked in advertising for several years and then became chairman and CEO of a family company, the Meenan Oil Co. He was a board member of a number of organizations, including the Green Vale School and Glen Cove Hospital. 

William was predeceased by his wife, Joan. He is survived by a son, two daughters, and eight grandchildren.