A world-famous cartoonist, William Nealy is best-known for his groundbreaking book “Kayak,” which combined expert paddling instruction as well as artful caricatures and parodies of the whitewater enthusiasts themselves. The quality of his work transcends its subject; this book, and the others that followed, spawned a host of imitators and made William a cult figure in the world of outdoor sports. Born on February 4, 1953, Nealy grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Never comfortable in a highly structured environment, he left high school before graduating and then attended St. Johns College, eventually graduating from Birmingham-Southern. He brought a thorough and rigorous intelligence to his interests and avocations, all of which, in his hands, became arts.