Major General William David Wofford was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, on August 7, 1949. His father, Auzie Wofford—a World War II veteran who later retired from the National Guard as a Sergeant Major—played a pivotal role in shaping his life. Wofford attended Clarksville Schools before transferring to Subiaco Academy in ninth grade. Although he initially experienced homesickness, his father's encouragement to persevere proved foundational, instilling key developmental skills that benefitted him throughout his career.

Wofford received a Regular Army commission through the ROTC program at Arkansas Tech University in May 1971. He subsequently completed Airborne and Ranger schools, followed by the Field Artillery Basic Course. His early assignments included serving as a forward observer with the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 321st Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1974, he became a battery commander with the 6th Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, 1st Armored Division in Europe. The following year, he transitioned to the Arkansas Army National Guard, embarking on nearly four decades of distinguished service.

A notable highlight of his career was commanding the 2nd Battalion, 142d Field Artillery Brigade during Operation Desert Storm, where his unit operated in Saudi Arabia before engaging in combat operations in Iraq and Kuwait. This battalion held the distinction of being among the last U.S. artillery units to fire the M110A2 8-inch self-propelled howitzer in combat.

General Wofford’s career encompassed a wide range of command and staff roles, including leadership at the battery, battalion, and brigade levels; Commander of the Arkansas Army National Guard/Joint Force Land Component; Deputy Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization at Headquarters Department of the Army in the Pentagon; and Commanding General (Reserve Component) of U.S. Army Forces Command. Appointed in 2007 by the Governor of Arkansas, he served as Adjutant General until retiring in 2015.