William John Mayer was born on December 29, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. William was married twice: his first wife Lorrainer passed away. His second marriage was to Frankie Louise on September 1, 1984. William had one child: Raynette Ann Mayer.

Mayer was enlisted in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.

Mayer obtained a Bachelor of Electrica Engineering degree from Marquette University in 1960. Mayer then obtained a master of science degree from Colombia Pacific in 1993.