William Polley has traveled in a huge circle to be able to retire and paint full time. An incessant doodler as a child, I became a self-taught artist with my first medium being charcoal. I started painting seriously in high school with acrylics and was selected as art director for my high school yearbook and other school projects.

In pursuit of my passion for art, I graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Design and Artistic Painting. I joined The Marine Corps as an officer and a fighter pilot trained in the F-4 Phantom. During those six years I was an instructor in the Naval Training Command and also produced pilot training films for the Naval Photographic Center. After serving my country I continued in the art field as Art Director for the city of Memphis Tourism and Economic Councils.

For the next twenty five years I was a pilot for Federal Express, often traveling to regions that inspired my artistic talent. When I wasn’t flying I was painting and decorating my home and those of friends and family. The main reason I moved to Walton County is because of the beautiful scenery of the Emerald Coast. I have had the good fortune to be selected as cover artist for “The Beachcomber” newspaper five different times. I have gone full circle from artist to pilot and back to artist. With reflection, art has never left my eyes.