Bill Marks holds an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, where he was a four-year member of the Rutgers Glee Club, graduating in 1955. From 1955-57 he served on active duty in Germany as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

After receiving a Ph.D. in English Literature from Stanford University he taught English for 32 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he has been a Professor Emeritus since 1994.

He is a former Director and founding member of Health Care for All California and a former chair of the Santa Barbara chapter of this non-profit organization. In recognition of his work advocating for universal health care, along with his wife Carole he was named 2003 Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter.

On May 6, 2007 Bill, along with his wife Carole, was honored by the League of Women Voters for his many contributions to them and to
the community and received commendations from the City of Santa Barbara, the County, the California State Assembly, and the U.S. Congress.