William Scott graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Night School in 1947 and then earned his B.S. degree in Education from Towson State University in Towson, Maryland in 1951. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps upon completing Officers Candidate School after graduating from Towson. He retired as a United States Marine Corps Brigadier General in 1980. His decorates and medals include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, and gold star in lieu of a second award, as well as other commenations and service awards.