In 1966, Bill was awarded a DownBeat Magazine, "Hall of Fame Scholarship" to Berklee School of Music in Boston. In 1971, after serving and traveling for four years with the US Navy Band as a percussionist, he became interested in learning magic. In 1973, Bill was accepted by and began studying with Tony Slydini, arguably the most influential, pure sleight-of-hand expert, and teacher of general magic in the 20th century.

In 1976, Slydini honored Bill by sponsoring him to take his place and nationally introduce his long awaited, two volume, masterpiece, "The Best of Slydini and More". Bill lectured Slydini's methods and techniques, as well as his own, to thousands of magicians in 36 cities. In 1978, another national tour followed the publication of the companion volumes, "The Magical World of Slydini". Each tour was a resounding success and established Bill as a major performer, inventor, contributor and influence on the world magic scene. Bill is the only student Slydini ever sponsored to lecture his magic.

Bill has presented over 400 lectures to his peers with his videos, books, articles, creations and theories about sleight-of-hand being so innovative that literally thousands of magicians on all seven continents have adopted and adapted them.

In 1980, looking to broaden his opportunities, Bill became fascinated with the combination of magic and marketing, specifically the subject of "showmanship". At the time, not a great deal of information was available on the subject and Bill even had to create a workable definition, which is now used in the Webster's New World Dictionary.

He spent three years thoroughly researching the lives of master showmen, George M Cohan, P.T. Barnum and, of course, Harry Houdini. Major similarities were discovered. These great showmen did not have the high-priced, "re-hash" sales programs available today. They marketed their ideas according to human nature, using common sense and the power of "simplicity".

The result was an original, one-man lecture/show, "The Magic Word is Showmanship". It introduced five key elements, presented as the acronym, M-A-G-I-C, that are already part of everyone's personality but almost always overlooked (remember "Acres of Diamonds?"). Once recognized, they are easy to remember and hard to forget. Using even one of these key elements in a presentation can add "pizzazz" and create and sustain a high degree of dramatic interest, regardless of product or service.

Throughout the 1980's, Bill gave this presentation to many of the largest corporations and sales organizations around the country. One of the companies, Minolta, even offered Bill the opportunity to test his theories in the field. He accepted an entry level, sales position and in eighteen months was a Branch Sales Manager, increasing sales volume by 36%, representing the highest reported company increase.

Most magic periodicals have featured at least one article or effect of Bill's, but the special, September 1984 issue of "Genii Magazine" was a solo tribute. According to the publisher, Bill Larson, it became, "one of the most requested back-issues in the entire history of the magazine, due to the superior quality of the material in general and the original photography technique Bill created and used to make it easier to learn the magic."

Bill, and his company, Wisch-Craft Productions, is by far the largest manufacturer of exclusive, handcrafted card effects...more than 20,000 sets. In 1975, his original method of manufacture popularized Nate Leipzig's, "Princess Card Trick", and made it possible for thousands of magicians around the world to perform and enjoy this classic miracle.

In 1997, Bill co-founded the "International Conservatory Of Magic" (magicschool.com), with student enrollment from more than 40 countries. It is the largest magic website of its type on the Internet. "Fascinating! One of the best sites on the net…of ANY type!" ( Harley Carnes, CBS NewsRadio 88 "INTERNET MINUTE").

Also, from 1997 to 2001, Bill performed literally thousands of cabaret and close-up shows as house magician at Caesars Pocono Palace.

Currently, Bill is presenting a new lecture, "Sleightly Out Of My Mind", and also freelancing in the New York City, tri-state area.