William Munro Shand was the youngest son of a distinguished lawyer, Robert Wallace Shand and Louisa Coffin Edwards. He entered South Carolina College at the age of 15, became the captain of the football team, President of the German Club, member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Beta Kappa. He received his B.S. in 1901 and his LL.B., Magna Cum Laude, in 1903.
He first practiced with his father as Shand and Shand and later with Christie Benet and William C. McGowan. For twenty years, he served as Reporter for the South Carolina Supreme Court and was often appointed as a Special Master. He was President of the Richland County Bar Association and a member of the South Carolina and American Bar Associations.
Active in the Trinity Episcopal Church, he was Chancellor (church lawyer) for the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. He served as President of the Rotary Club, an advisory board member for the Citizens and Southern National Bank and a leader in Columbia’s civic, cultural and social life.
In 1902, he married Selina Stricker Coles and they had four children.
Friendly, outgoing, with a generous and humorous viewpoint, he was a charming gentleman. Diligent and scrupulous, he served his fellow men with utmost integrity.