William B. Harrison graduated from Louisville Male High School and the University of Virginia School of Law. He served as a captain in the United States Army during World War I. Harrison spent nearly a decade managing a major company before transitioning to municipal governance. He was elected mayor of Louisville, where he arranged finances for significant infrastructure projects and supported the establishment of the city's first airport. After his mayoral term, Harrison chaired the Louisville Industrial Foundation for 14 years.

William B. Harrison's political identity is marked by a strategic blend of municipal pragmatism and industrial advocacy. His tenure as mayor saw him navigate financial constraints to facilitate critical infrastructure projects, such as the Municipal Bridge and Bowman Field. Harrison's approach to economic policy reveals a calculated alignment with industrial interests, balancing regional development with private sector engagement. This juxtaposition of public service and private enterprise underscores a nuanced, ideologically agile approach to governance.