Bill was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Rowan County. He was the son of the late George Albert Overman and Edith Menius Overman Lippard.

After graduation from Cleveland School, class of 1940, he attended Lees-McRae College for one year. The coming of WWII interrupted his education. The bombing of Pearl Harbor led him to think "...we have to do something about that"; therefore on April 24, 1942, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps (Company F, Second battalion, 24th Marines, Fourth Marine Division).

Corporal Overman participated in operations against enemy forces at Roi and Namar Islands, Marshall Islands and Saipan [Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal]. On the island of Saipan he was wounded thus he received a Purple Heart Award. He did not return to combat duty. He was assigned to the Navy Yard in Pearl Harbor until the end of the war when he was then stationed to Parris Island as a rifle drill instructor until the enlistment was up. His devotion to the Marines, 4th Division and as a radio enthusiast continued upon his return to the US as an avid ham radio operator K4SNF.

Upon returning to civilian life he was employed by Summersett Funeral Home where he became interested in becoming a mortician. He graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He became a partner and served as Vice President of Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell 1951-1962. Rockwell residents also remember him as the Post Master, appointed by President Lyndon Johnson, 1965-1974.

Bill proudly served as National President and several other offices with the 4th Marine Division Association and as a promoter and ambassador for the Marine Corps at Parris Island. He was involved in the dedication of the statue that now stands in the Rockwell Square that recognizes all military services. At the National Cemetery he was responsible for the dedication of a statue representing the three islands Saipan, Iwo Jima and Tinian. At the ceremony he sprinkled sand over the statue from each island. Truly he exemplified the saying "Once a Marine, always a Marine".

Not only was he a true Marine, he was well known in his community as a past member of the Rockwell Civitan Club in which he received the honor of Civitan of the Year 1961-1962. St. James Lutheran Church Adult Sunday School Class was honored to have him as the teacher for 40 years and a member of the adult choir. He served as vice-chairman of Church Council several times, past president of the Rowan County Amateur Radio Club and as a member of AMSAT, an organization of Amateur Radio Operators who specialize in satellites. He built his own satellite tracking station which is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission making it available for emergency communications in the event of disasters. He made contact with several Space Shuttles as well as the Russian Space Station MIR.

Other community services include holding offices in groups in which he is life member: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Fourth Marine Division Association and Disabled American Veterans.