An American author, he is known for children's works such as A Dog Called Kitty, Danger on Panther Peak, and Snot Stew. He won the Nebraska Golden Sower Award.
He graduated from the University of Oklahoma's writing program and subsequently earned a degree in Elementary Education from The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. His fourth-grade students inspired him to create "real" books, because they loved the stories he would write for them as rewards for good classroom behavior.
The Chickasha, Oklahoma elementary school where he served as both a teacher and a principal was renamed The Bill Wallace Early Education Center in his honor.
His wife, Carol, collaborated with him on seven books. His forty five-year marriage lasted until his death in 2012.
He and Beverly Cleary are both known for their works of children's fiction.