Bill is a pilot, artist, sculptor, filmmaker, author, inventor, naturalist and entrepreneur. In 1988, Bill raised a flock of Canada geese, imprinted them to an ultralight aircraft he designed and built, and flew with the birds around southern Ontario. The success of this work lead to conducting a migration experiment by leading flocks of Canada geese on their journey south by acting as surrogate parents. The experiment was documented by ABC's 20/20 and captured the attention of biologists around the world. The aircraft-led migrations were successful in that the birds learned a safe migration route. This technique could be utilized to restore threatened or endangered migratory waterfowl, which have ceased to migrate.
Bill documented his first flights with Canada geese in the award winning video C'mon Geese. His first book about his work with the geese is in the curriculum of many US public schools. Columbia Pictures produced a feature film entitled Fly Away Home inspired by his career. Bill not only consulted for filming, but also was the stunt double for the lead actor, Jeff Daniels--who was playing Bill! His autobiography FATHER GOOSE (published by McArthur & Company and Crown Publishers) is on the best seller list.
In 1995, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association highest honor, the prestigious AOPA Award, was presented to Bill. In 1996, he received Odessy of The Mind's prestigious Creativity Award (previous recipients have been Walt Disney, Chuck Jones, and NASA). Bill's 21st century earth-integrated domed home has been featured in Equinox and Harrowsmith magazine for its innovative design. His sculptures are displayed in television commercials, IMAX films The Last Buffalo and Titanica, the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame, Canada's Wonderland and EXPO ’86.
