William Henderson Shurley was born in Freeport, Texas, and moved to Monroe, Louisiana, where he spent his childhood. He was raised in the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Monroe where he participated in formational programs such as the Young Rejoicers children’s choir, Sunday school, the church’s youth group, and vacation bible school. Along with other friends, he founded the Adopt-a-Student Ministries, Inc., which paired local public elementary schools with local congregations so congregants could sponsor underprivileged children’s school fees. He also developed a love of music, and took piano lessons before becoming a church pianist for several years.

After graduating from St. Frederick Catholic High School, he began his undergraduate work at Baylor University, and pursued a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations and a minor in religion. He began taking organ lessons at the First Presbyterian Church of Waco, Texas, and served as the organist and choir director at two churches in the Waco area. After graduating in 2002, he moved to Washington, D.C., and began working in public affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

During his time in Washington, Rev. Shurley’s sense of call to parish ministry became stronger. In Monroe, the widow of Covenant Presbyterian Church’s first pastor had said, "That boy is going to grow up to be a Presbyterian minister." Her words remained with him as he experienced the life and work of other churches, and he began to sense parish ministry was the vocation God planned for his life.

Upon graduation in 2007, he accepted a position at Princeton Seminary as the assistant director of alumni relations. He was ordained to this position by the Presbytery of the Pines in January 20, 2008. Rev. Shurley’s time at the seminary allowed him to hone his skills in communications, event planning, and administration.