Growing up on a North Carolina farm in Robeson County, William Barker moved to Raleigh in 1973 to attend N.C. State University. He began real estate sales in 1979, and founded Barker Realty in 1984 as an investment and property management real estate company. William Barker began selling real estate in the Raleigh area in 1979 with Bacon and Company. In 1989, William began building custom homes under William T. Barker Construction. He later formed Barker and Lovette Construction Company, specializing in commercial building renovations and fit-ups. Over this time period, William has also been involved as managing partner in several companies specializing in land development. He has served on the NC Building Code Committee, is a member of the Wake County Home Builders Association, the National HBA, and the Raleigh Board of Realtors