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In 1949, he completed his bachelor's degree from Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College in [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] with majors in [[Bible]] and music. While serving in the music ministry of the Istrouma Baptist Church in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], Ichter felt the divine call for missionary work. He enrolled at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in [[New Orleans]] and continued to serve area churches. In 1956, at his appointment ceremony to become a missionary, held in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], [[Virginia]], Ichter met [[Billy Graham]], who was holding a crusade that week in Richmond and spoke to each new missionary. In 1964, Ichter compiled a crusade hymnal and composed one song himself.  In 1974, Ichter led the 11,500-voice Graham Crusade Choir during the evangelist's appearance in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref name=bio/>

In 1949, he completed his bachelor's degree from Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College in [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] with majors in [[Bible]] and music. While serving in the music ministry of the Istrouma Baptist Church in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], Ichter felt the divine call for missionary work. He enrolled at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in [[New Orleans]] and continued to serve area churches. In 1956, at his appointment ceremony to become a missionary, held in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], [[Virginia]], Ichter met [[Billy Graham]], who was holding a crusade that week in Richmond and spoke to each new missionary. In 1964, Ichter compiled a crusade hymnal and composed one song himself.  In 1974, Ichter led the 11,500-voice Graham Crusade Choir during the evangelist's appearance in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref name=bio/>

On [[Veterans Day]] 2014, Ichter's adopted city of Minden, Louisiana, observed "Bill Ichter Day". He received from the French consul the [[French Legion of Honor]] medal, the highest honor given by that nation. His name was the first to be placed on the Wall of Honor at Minden's Veterans Flag Memorial. The South Webster Chamber of Commerce awarded him  its "Lifetime Achievement Award."<ref name=bio/>

On [[Veterans Day]] 2014, Ichter's adopted city of Minden, Louisiana, observed "Bill Ichter Day". He received from the French consul the Legion of Honor medal, the highest honor awarded by that nation. His name was the first to be placed on the Wall of Honor at Minden's Veterans Flag Memorial. The South Webster [[Chamber of Commerce]] awarded him  its "Lifetime Achievement Award."<ref name=bio/>

Ichter and his wife, the former Jerry Catron (born June 1930), have a daughter, Alana (born May 1950), and her husband, Ronald W. Greenwich, of Minden (born July 1948). Ichter said that one "cannot live a good or meaningful life without God in your life. Louisiana College taught me how to live and just how to make a living."<ref name=bio/>

Ichter and his wife, the former Jerry Catron (born June 1930), have a daughter, Alana (born May 1950), and her husband, Ronald W. Greenwich, of Minden (born July 1948). Ichter said that one "cannot live a good or meaningful life without God in your life. Louisiana College taught me how to live and just how to make a living."<ref name=bio/>