William Moats is a resident of Birmingham, Alabama. He attended and graduated from Kent State University in Music Education with a major in instrumental music. He was a member of two military bands, playing trombone and euphonium before attending and graduating from Ball State University with a Master of Arts degree in Music. He taught instrumental music, band and orchestra for 17 years in the Dayton, Ohio area. In 1990 he made a career change to the computer industry and relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1995.
He served as choir director at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kettering, Ohio for 15 years. In addition to vocal choir he directed a brass ensemble, church band, folk ensemble, and eventually started a handbell choir. As a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Alabama, he directs the adult handbell and vocal choirs. He has published handbell compositions with several publishers and brass chamber music with the International Trombone Association.
He is currently semi-retired. During his professional career he has been a member of the Music Educator’s National Conference, Ohio Music Educators Association, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), and the American Federation of Musicians.