Bill trusted Christ as his Savior at the age of 18 and was later baptized at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland. Lynne accepted Christ as her Savior when she was six years old and was baptized at Warder Street Baptist Church in Marion, Illinois. Bill and Lynne met while attending Bible college in Oklahoma and were married in December 1991.

After graduating in 1992, they began deputation and arrived in Colombia as missionaries in October 1994. Over the next 24 years, they faithfully served in Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. In December 2018, following the passing of Pastor Rick Dawson, the Nortons returned to the United States to pastor Clearview Baptist Church.

After pastoring for six years, the Lord led them back into missions. While on deputation, Brother Terry Jones, BIMI's Central America Director, went home to be with the Lord. Shortly thereafter, BIMI invited Bill to serve as the next Central America Director, and his appointment was approved in June 2026. The Nortons are excited about this new opportunity to assist both new and veteran missionaries as they work together to strengthen ministries, plant churches, and reach people with the Gospel throughout Central America.

Missionaries in Central America (listed with BIMI account numbers)