Bill Boyd has lived in Las Vegas since 1941 and graduated from University of Nevada, Reno and University of Utah Law School. Boyd practiced law for more than 15 years in Las Vegas before partnering with his father, Sam A. Boyd, and others in the Union Plaza Hotel Casino and the Eldorado Casino. In 1973 Bill and Sam co-founded Boyd Gaming Corporation and opened the California Hotel Casino in 1975. At that time, Bill left the practice of law and began his full-time career in the gaming industry. Today, Bill is the chairman and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming. Bill has been involved with many civic and charitable organizations.

Bill Boyd, Boyd Gaming and the Boyd Foundation have been major donors to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Boys Girls Clubs and Boy's Town of Nevada. In 1997, Bill provided the initial 5 million for the creation of the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.