William Rawson graduated from Stevens Preparatory School and New York University Law School. He began his career in public service as a Judge of the Recorder's Court in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he served for over a decade. Despite an early unsuccessful run for Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages, Rawson was elected as an Essex County Freeholder multiple times, demonstrating consistent public support. He also held the position of Freeholder Director on two occasions. Rawson transitioned to a congressional campaign later in his career, although he did not secure a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

William Rawson's political career reveals a strategic blend of local governance and electoral resilience, marked by repeated re-elections as an Essex County Freeholder. His judicial background and consistent electoral presence suggest a deeply rooted commitment to local issues, yet his occasional forays into broader political races hint at a broader strategic ambition. His educational pedigree from Stevens Preparatory School and NYU Law School underscores a formal, rigorous approach to public service.