Bill was a 2017 Mahomet-Seymour High School Boys Cross Country Hall of Fame Inductee.

Bill ran in the 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974 seasons.  Bill earned a varsity letter all four years.  Bill was captain of his team both his junior and senior years.

Bill earned the most improved runner award his freshman year.  He ran as high as second for his team his freshman season.

Bill was runner up at the 1972 Mahomet vs Wapella dual meet his sophomore year.

Bill was runner up at the 1973 Mahomet vs Wapella dual meet, the 1973 Mahomet vs Monticello dual meet, the 1973 Mahomet vs Paxton dual meet, and the 1973 Mahomet vs Tri-Valley dual meet his junior year. 

Bill was runner up at the 1974 Mahomet vs Uni High vs Fisher triangular meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs Paxton vs Monticello triangular meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs Wapella dual meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs Tuscola dual meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs Unity dual meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs Argenta dual meet, the 1974 Mahomet vs LeRoy dual meet, and the Mahomet vs Argenta vs Unity triangular meet his senior year.

Bill was award 1st team All-East Central Illinois Cross Country Team honors his junior and senior years.

Bill was All-Regional in 1974 when he placed 6th.

Bill placed 16th at the Sectional meet when we had a 1 class system in cross country.

Bill placed 10th in State in the mile and 2 mile as a senior in track.

He continued his running career at Eastern Illinois University.  He was part of the 1977 Cross Country NCAA II National Championship Team.

Mark Johnson and Bill James at the Unity Sectional Track Meet in 1975.  This was the 2 mile.  They placed first and second.  They also placed first and second in the mile.  Bill ended up 10th in both events at State.

Bill running in a preliminary heat of the 1500m at the NCAA II Track Meet in Slippery Rock, PA in 1976.  He is the Eastern Illinois University runner in the pack.  The runner in front of Bill with UCI on his shirt is Steve Scott.  Steve would eventually be the American Record Holder at the 1500 m.