Billy began using his artistic talents as a child, creating pictorial diaries of his daily experiences. He furthered his endeavors in college, majoring in Geography with an emphasis in Cartography at the University of Utah. At that time he also was a regular cartoonist for the student newspaper. After serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force, including participation in the invasion of Panama and the first Gulf War, he left the active duty service and began apprenticing with a well-known children’s book author and illustrator to learn the process of writing and illustrating children’s books. During this time he contributed to over forty titles in a variety of formats as a contract artist.
In April 1999, Billy introduced the first children’s book that he wrote and illustrated, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm. Originally published by Golden Books, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm tells the story of Sibley the work horse who feels slighted when a “shiny new tractor comes and takes over his chores.” Sibley and Mac overcome their differences and become “the best of friends.” Publisher’s Weekly called it a “bright, spirited read aloud” and after only five months the book was in its second printing.
Billy has continued on with several more enthralling and likeable Tractor Mac children’s books for boys and girls in the series. Children love the bright, detailed illustrations and absorbing stories, which have become “bedtime favorites.” Subsequent stories include Tractor Mac Learns to Fly followed by Tractor Mac You’re a Winner, Tractor Mac Builds a Barn, Tractor Mac Harvest Time, Tractor Mac Saves Christmas, Tractor Mac Parade’s Best and Tractor Mac Farmer’s Market. The 9th title in the series, Tractor Mac Tune Up was released in the spring of 2011.
Billy regularly visits schools, libraries, and bookstores as well as performs readings, signings, and personalized drawings for boys and girls in the audience. He also performs a presentation of the illustration process which details step-by-step the work involved in the development of a story.
When he is not drawing, Billy is a commercial pilot with American Airlines.
He lives in Roxbury, CT with his wife and three sons.
