William Snyder was born and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania. When he was growing up, he discovered the challenge of architecture first by perusing books in the library and then by hands-on construction experience. His love of art allowed him to build homes, office buildings, airport terminals, and the McCaw School of Mines on the campus of McCaw Elementary School in Henderson, Nevada. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978 with his wife, Joy and raised their two sons. In 2001, The William E. Snyder Elementary School was dedicated in his honor with his community’s support.