William Orson Banfield was born in Vancouver, the son of John J. Banfield. John J. Banfield arrived in Vancouver in 1891 and operated a real estate and insurance office. He also served on many civic bodies, including the School Board, the Hospital Board, the Exhibition Association and the Broad of Trade. William Orson Banfield graduated from the University of British Columbia with a master's degree in 1923. He worked briefly as a chemical engineer before joining his father's business. In 1934, Banfield formed his own firm, Norwich Agencies, Limited. He sold the firm in 1956 and retired in 1960. Banfield was active in civic affairs. He was elected president of the Vancouver branch of the Red Cross in 1946, president of the Vancouver Rotary Club in 1947, president of the Civic Non-Partisan Association in 1956, and Chairman of the Board of Vancouver General Hospital in 1957. In 1961, he was elected to Vancouver City Council as an alderman.