Bill Sampson- Curator  

Bill Sampson was born in Detroit Michigan in 1955. In the early 60's, Bill's family relocated to Dearborn Michigan. After graduating from high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force working as a Pararescue man. During the last four years of Bill's Air Force career, he work with NASA, coordinating rescue support for the first flight of the Space Shuttle, Columbia. In 1982 a service connected skydiving accident forced his early retirement.

After a lengthy rehabilitation, Bill applied and was excepted to the Center for Creative Studies, College of Art and Design in Detroit, pursuing a B.F.A. in Photography. In 1984 he married his new best friend and physical therapist, Nancy McMenamin/Sampson.

After graduating with honors from C.C.S. in 1988, Bill was employed by Bon Secours Hospital as Chief Medical Photographer. In 1990 he resigned from Bon Secours to expand the photography business he established in college.

In 1994, with his two daughters, Rebecca and Heather on their way to college Bill and his wife Nancy fulfilled their dream by relocating to Marquette.


Currently, Bill works as a fine art and self employed commercial photographer. His award winning photographic documentary titled "Hallowed Ground" is a powerful documentation of roadside memorials. Bill's commercial client list includes, Ford Motor Co., Pepsi Cola, Este Lauder, Warsau Insurance, Henry Ford Hospital, University of Michigan Medical Center, The State of Michigan, Ameritech, The Phone Guide, Downwind Sports, Sawyer Lumber, Northern Michigan University, Marquette General Hospital, Northern Initiatives, Macomb Community College, Riverside Osteopathic Hospital, Great Lakes Rehabilitation Hospital, Horizon Surgery Center, National Golf Distributors, Pioneer Surgical Technology and Curtis Snowplow.