Position: pitcher Bats: right Throws: right

William Greason was one of five children born to Lizi and James Greason. His high school years were split between David T. Howard High School and Booker T. Washington High School, where he and his classmates played football on the school grounds and baseball wherever they could.

In 1943, after high school, he was called into the marines and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was transferred to occupational duty in Nagasaki and Sasebo, Japan, where upon after three years was discharged.

Upon returning from the service he played baseball for the Nashville Black Vols. While playing in his second season for Nashville, he was discovered and picked-up by the Birmingham Black Barons. He played with the Black Barons throughout the 1948 season and helped them capture the American League Pennant. He would turn out to be the only pitcher to toss a win against the Homestead Grays in the World Series that same year. He went to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Santa Domingo after the season ended to play winter ball. He would play in the Caribbean World Series in Karakas, Venezuela.

In 1948, he was called upon by the U.S. Marines to return to service during the Korean War. He was in uniform again, stationed at Fort Legiune where he was fortunate enough to be able to play on their baseball team. While he was having a fabulous career there, the St. Louis Browns scouted him. This would not be home for long. He was in for a serious tour of the minor leagues. He was quickly recommended to the Oklahoma City Indians. The next stop was the Houston Buffs before he pulled into Columbus to play for the AAA Red Birds. The St. Louis Cardinals brought Greason up to the big leagues for 9 weeks before sending him back down to the Red Birds. He pitched for the Rochester Wings in 1958 - traded to a Charlestown West Virginia team at season's end. Around this time William had had enough. He decided to call it quits.

He attended Sanford University in Birmingham (now called Homewood) and continued his education at the Birmingham Baptist Bible College where he majored in religion. He worked for 14 years in Pazitts Department Store before he was called to the ministry where he has remained for the past 34 years (30 years at his present church).