Early Life and Education
- Born in 1899 in Chicago, Illinois
- Oldest of three children
- Moved to Batavia, Illinois in 1904
- Father established dental practice in Batavia
- Attended Batavia High School
- Studied agriculture and oversaw a sheep ranch in Two Dot, Montana
- Enrolled in University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry
- Received dental degree in 1926
- Became a professor in the Crown and Bridge Department at UIC
- Enrolled in the first class of graduate orthodontics and earned a master's degree in 1931

Contributions to Orthodontics
- Interested in facial growth and development
- Developed the Downs Cephalometric Analysis
- Won first prize from the American Association of Orthodontists in 1948 for his research
- Published papers on Cephalometric Appraisal of Treated Result and Variations in Facial Relationships
- Member of the Chicago Association of Orthodontists and Tweed Foundation

Awards and Recognitions
- Albert H. Ketcham Award from the American Board of Orthodontics in 1961
- Award of Merit from the Chicago Association of Orthodontists in 1963
- Executive Council member of Angle Society of Orthodontia
- Diplomate of American Board of Orthodontics
- Recognised for his contributions to the field of orthodontics

Professional Affiliations
- Member of the Chicago Association of Orthodontists
- Member of the Tweed Foundation
- Executive Council member of Angle Society of Orthodontia

References
- McGonagle, Robert (1975). Dr. William B. Downs: Man of his work.
- Lewis (1966). In Memoriam.
- Celebrating A Proud Past: Centennial of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.
- Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_B._Downs&oldid=1191186655
- Categories: 1899 births, 1966 deaths, American dentists, Orthodontists, People from Batavia, Illinois, 20th-century dentists