[1] Bill Ham attended Auburn University in 1972, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in recreational management in 1977.

[2][3][4][5] In 1986, Ham first got into the public sphere in Auburn after the mayor at the time, Jan Dempsey, suggested that he make a run for city council, and he did.

[6] That year he defeated J. Quillin for Auburn's Dustrict 4 council seat[7] where he served until 1998.

[7][8][6] In 1994, he was voted in as Mayor Pro Tempore by the city council.

[1] One of his major accomplishments as mayor was helping create the Auburn Research Park which is home to The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and other businesses, providing a space for collaboration between Auburn University and the city.