William Miles "Bill" Fitch was born in Manheim, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1913. The nephew of famed printmaker and painter William Selzer Rice, Fitch was encouraged from an early age to study art. In 1929 he won first prize in The Scholastic's graphic art division's national contest, and the print, entitled "Drydock", was used as the cover of their publication. Later, after being awarded the James A. Barr scholarship, Fitch moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He later moved to Stockton, California, where he established himself as a commercial artist.
 
His paintings have been shown at the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA; the Santa Cruz Art League; San Joaquin County regional art competitions; the Stockton Library; and the Wadsworth Memorial Library.

Fitch died in Stockton on November 4, 1993.