William R. Galey received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1969 and postdoctoral training at Harvard Biophysical Laboratory from 1969 to 1971 before joining Alza Research Corporation in 1971.

Bill joined the faculty of the UNM School of Medicine Department of Physiology as an Assistant Professor in 1972 and attained the rank of Full Professor in 1984. Following the consolidation of the six original School of Medicine basic science departments in 1997, Bill's faculty appointment was transferred to the newly reorganized Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

In recognition of his excellence as an educator and his penchant for mentoring the next generation of physicians and researchers, Bill was appointed Director of the School of Medicine Biomedical Science Graduate Program and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies in 1994, appointments he held until his retirement from the School of Medicine in 2002. Among his many distinctions, Bill served as a Gordon Conference Chairman in 1982 and organized a Gordon Conference on Synthetic Membranes in 1985. He received Fulbright Fellowships in 1983 and again in 1986. From 1990 to 1997, Bill served as Western Region Director of the Basic Science Education Forum.

After leaving the School of Medicine, Bill spent the last decade of his career at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, where he continued to mentor and inspire young scientists, directing numerous graduate education programs.

Bill was a great colleague and a fine friend. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a brilliant thinker with a sharp wit, a compassionate soul, and a steadfast sense of optimism.