Born in Hollywood, William Shively grew up in a musical household. One brother was a drummer, the other a guitarist and keyboard player, so it was almost preordained that William would play bass. He studied piano for four years before picking up bass at age twelve. In five short years, he was playing around town in local bands. After graduating from High School, William studied upright bass at Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA), winning numerous scholarships, including the presitgious Barbara Throop Memorial Scholarship. Switching to Orange Coast College, William studied with Doc Rutherford. After university, he attended Musician's Institute where he continued his studies with Steve Bailey, Carl Shroeder and others.

After completing his education, William was recruited by Michael Hyde and Santa Davis to join Big Mountain - well known for the reggae version of Peter Frampton's "Ooh, Baby I Love Your Way" - which included members from several notable reggae bands, including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Ziggy Marley. While with Big Mountain, he recorded "Man in a Suitcase" for Regatta Mondatta: A Reggae Tribute to the Police (Ark 21).  As well as Big Mountain, he has performed with reggae artists : The Wailing Souls, Jimmy Cliff and Tanya Stephens.

William currently lives in Las Vegas and currently performs with Boyz II Men nightly at the Mirage Hotel.  When in town, he performs gospel at two churches and  freelances with several of the city's top local rock, soul, and jazz acts.