Roan divides his time between Oakland, California and Calico Rock, Arkansas. He received a BFA degree in Sculpture and Metal Working from Eastern Michigan University in 1980. Bill and his wife Cynthia have traveled extensively throughout the United States, South Pacific and Europe, whose cultures, myths and folklore traditions have greatly influenced his artwork.

Roan taught at California State University East Bay for 16 years and worked at several art studios, as well as running his own art studio for almost 40 years. Roan uses traditional metalsmithing techniques to create his unique sculptures, which have been displayed at the Caltrans District 4 Museum, the Oakland Museum of California, Arkansas Arts Center (now the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art), and in private collections including Robin Williams and cartoonist Gary Larson. In 1989 he forged a Bridge Troll which stood on the Oakland Bay Bridge for 24 years to ward off any future Earthquakes. Roan’s work has appeared in several art books, magazines and he has appeared in a book and movie about his famous Bridge Troll.