About StepWise Financial

Today, Bill holds his Series 65 securities registration as an IAR (investment adviser representative) and his life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance licenses in North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, California, Iowa, Nevada, Alabama, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Until recently, he also held Series 6, 63, and 26 securities registrations as well as a P&C (property and casualty) insurance license, giving him an even deeper background, experience, and knowledge base with which to help clients.

At the heart of Bill’s practice lies a deep-seated dedication to forging paths toward financial security for his clients. “The way I approach clients is to help them assess their strengths and weaknesses in terms of their short-term, mid-term, and long-term financial goals. Then with their input, I develop a written plan to document their objectives, outline strategies and timetables, and hold regular reviews to mark their progress. What I love most about my job is helping people achieve their goals and financial security in the right manner and with integrity through the years. My approach is to be guided by financial principles rooted in biblical wisdom,” Bill says. “I believe in providing holistic financial planning for clients. What I mean by that is looking at all aspects of one’s finances, including those for ‘defense’ (such as insurance protections) and ‘offense’ (investing for college and retirement).”

Born in Santa Monica, California, Bill grew up in Northern Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, before leaving to serve in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War era from 1969-1973. He later went to Harding Graduate School of Theology in Memphis, Tennessee where he earned his master’s degree in theology with emphasis in counseling.

During his career, Bill has held numerous ministerial as well as financial roles. He was a teen minister, campus minister, and congregational minister for 14 years, and he has worked for various banks, life insurance companies, and financial services firms, including HBW Partners since 2005.

“I was in the Christian ministry full-time when we moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1987. We moved with no promise to be on the church’s full-time staff, raising our own support for a year, but never became part of the paid ministry there. In hindsight, I realize it was all a part of a bigger plan. A close friend of mine told me that ‘next to helping people with their lives, helping people with their finances was the next best thing.’ Thus, I started my career in financial services in 1988, and the rest is history,” he says.

Now in Durham, North Carolina, Bill is still very involved in the church. “I’m on three committees; I volunteer for various events including some that help out in the community. I help host and lead a weekly Bible study discussion group, I teach once in a while, and my wife and I lead a family group. Being of spiritual service to others is still very important to me,” he says.

Bill’s life is also rich with the joys of family alongside his wife of 57 years, Ellen. Their two grown sons and daughters-in-law have given them the delight of six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

When not guiding others through the intricacies of financial planning, ministering, volunteering, or otherwise contributing to his community, Bill loves going to restaurants, traveling, playing golf, and going to the movies. He also enjoys playing cards, board games, and putting puzzles together; activities that are not only joyful, but build great memories with loved ones. He is blessed indeed.