Bryson was born on December 8, 1951. He spent his childhood growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, part of the baby-boom generation born in the post-war years. He describes his early life and his parents, Bill Sr. and Mary Bryson. His father was a well-known sports writer for "The Des Moines Register", the leading newspaper in Des Moines. His mother was also a writer for the "Register", she also wrote for magazines like "Better Homes" and "Gardens", "Good Housekeeping", and "House Beautiful".