As a child, William Geets had an obvious talent for drawing. He began his artistic studies at the Academy in Mechelen, and later at the Academy of Antwerp. In Antwerp Nicaise de Keyser, one of the most important painters Flemish romanticism, was one of his teachers. Geets was also taught by Leon Cogniet in Paris (1861-1863).

In 1869, Geets was appointed Director of the Academy in Mechelen, and institution which has played a major role in the training of sculptors for Mechelen ornamental furniture. He remained in office until 1891. In 1886 he founded the Guild, an association for visual artists in Mechelen.