William P. Sharp attended Iowa State University for one year before being drafted into the United States Army in 1965. 

He completed his Basic, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before deploying to the Dominican Republic as a member of the Organization of American States Inter-American Peace Force in 1966. His unit, the 285th Engineer Det., was returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed his active duty obligation in 1967, and separated with a rank of Specialist 4. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Inactive Reserve in 1971. 

Following his return to Charles City, He attended NIACC. Bill attended the University of Northern Iowa, completing a B.S. degree in microbiology in 1973. 

Bill then moved to Tempe, Arizona, where Bill attended Arizona State University, receiving his Masters Degree in microbiology in 1977. Bill then worked at the ASU Botany Department for 28 years, retiring in 2005 as Professor Emeritus, Senior Research Professional, Manager, Life Sciences Electron Microscopy Facility. 

He is survived by Sheryl, his wife of 53 years, his brother, and his sister. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Jalynn Haberl.