Dr. Buss obtained a B.S. in Chemistry from Portland State University in 1965, an M.S in Pharmacology from the University of Alberta in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Oregon School of Medicine (now known as Oregon Health Sciences University) in 1971. Dr. Buss accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Biochemistry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine in 1972. Dr. Buss was subsequently recruited to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology in 1973.  He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1979 and then to Full Professor in 1989. He served as Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology for 10 years. He spent one sabbatical year in 1983 at the University of California, San Diego and a second sabbatical year in 1992 at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Buss published over 30 scientific papers and book chapters. An effective and popular lecturer, he won Faculty Teaching Excellence awards for 1987-1988 1996-1997. Dr. Buss retired from active research in 1998, but continued to teach and serve on committees as Professor Emeritus. He delivered his final review lecture only two months before his death. His passion for sharing his knowledge of pharmacology will be remembered by the multitude of medical students who had the privilege of attending his lectures over his 45-year career. 

In retirement, Dr. Buss rekindled his love of art and enjoyed working with pastels to capture the beauty of the Sandia Mountains.  His work won regional and national recognition and was shown at the Matrix Fine Art Gallery in Albuquerque.  Dr. Buss was a voracious reader and wanderer, traveling all over England, France, Greece, Italy, Nepal, Russia, and Turkey.  He also was a well-known oenophile, who freely shared his knowledge of wine and wine making.  In collaboration with friends, Bill established Primrose Vineyards at his Corrales property, where he proudly shared his award-winning chardonnay with guests to his home.