Bill Lester Biography: Children, Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Siblings, NASCAR, Wife, Awards
William Alexander Lester III, professionally recognized as Bill Lester, is an accomplished American former professional racing driver, author, entrepreneur, and former computer engineer.
Born on February 6, 1961, in Washington, D.C., he became a pioneering African-American NASCAR competitor, gaining recognition for his achievements in stock car racing, sports car racing, and efforts to expand representation in American motorsport.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | William Alexander Lester III |
| Stage Name: | Bill Lester |
| Born: | February 6, 1961 (age 65 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | African-American |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | William Alexander Lester Jr., Rochelle Lester |
| Siblings: | Allison L. Ramsey |
| Spouse: | Cheryl Lester |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | William Alexander Lester IV, Austin Richard Lester |
| Occupation: | Former Professional Racing Driver, Author, Entrepreneur, Former Computer Engineer |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
Early life and Education
Bill Lester was born on February 6, 1961, in Washington, D.C., United States.
He was raised by his parents, William Alexander Lester Jr. and Rochelle Lester. His ethnicity is African-American. He has a sister named Allison L. Ramsey. His religion is Christianity.
His family subsequently settled in California, where he attended Booksin Elementary School, Edwin Markham Middle School, and Skyline High School, graduating in 1979.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1984.
Career
Bill Lester began his professional career as a computer scientist and project manager at Hewlett-Packard, working there for approximately 15 years. He simultaneously developed his racing abilities in Sports Car Club of America competitions, securing regional championships.
He entered the NASCAR Busch Series in 1999, becoming a pioneering African-American competitor in the division. He subsequently joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, earning three pole positions and seven top-ten finishes across 143 starts.
In 2006, Lester competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, becoming the first Black driver to start a Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs in 1986. He later expanded into international sports car racing, winning the GT class at Virginia International Raceway in 2011.
Following his professional racing career, Lester pursued real estate investment, public speaking, and writing.
In 2021, he published his memoir Winning in Reverse, discussing his engineering career, motorsport achievements, and experiences overcoming barriers in NASCAR.
Awards and Nominations
- 1985 – SCCA Northern California Region Rookie of the Year
- 1986 – SCCA Regional Road Racing Championship
- 1989 – RDC Four-Hour Endurance Race Championship
- 1991 – RDC Four-Hour Endurance Race Championship
Personal Life
Bill Lester is 65 years old as of 2026 and is married to Cheryl Lester. Their relationship has continued during his professional careers in engineering, motorsport, and business. There are no established details concerning previous marriages or former romantic partners.
The couple have two sons, William Alexander Lester IV, often called Alex Lester, and Austin Richard Lester. Bill has emphasized the importance of spending time with his children, particularly after retiring from full-time competition.
Lester’s father, William Alexander Lester Jr., worked as an electrical engineering professor and IBM researcher, while his mother, Rochelle Lester, was a social worker and elementary school teacher. Their emphasis on education influenced his academic and professional development.
Lester maintains interests in technology, real estate investment, family activities, travel, and writing. He has lived in the Atlanta metropolitan area and previously resided in Windermere, Florida. His height has not been reliably documented.
Net Worth
Bill Lester’s net worth is $5 million USD.
His income comes from professional racing, engineering, real estate investments, book royalties, public speaking, and commercial activities.
Notable Works
- Winning in Reverse
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
- NASCAR Cup Series
- Rolex Sports Car Series
- 24 Hours of Daytona
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