William B Courtney (Bill), a native Memphian, founded Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. in 2001. Today, it employs 120 people with a 45 acre manufacturing facility and domestic sales offices in Memphis, TN and international sales offices in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2007, Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. won the Memphis Business Journal's Small Business of the Year Award based on its growth and commitment to community service.

In 2003, Bill began volunteering at Memphis' inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its underperforming football team around. The team, which in 2003 had 19 players with a dismal 4-95, 10-year record, saw a significant turnaround in the 2008 & 2009 seasons, with its record improving to 18-2 and the roster growing to 75 players.