William Begbie Smith was born on January 24, 1879 in the Presbyterian manse at Bonhill near Glasgow, Scotland, the son and grandson of a Prebyterian minister. He was educated at Bonhill and later attended the University of Glasgow, graduating in Arts and Theology.
William Smith immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1910 and arrived at Magrath, Alberta. He was ordained there in December of that year. In 1911, Reverend Smith was moved to Leduc, to serve the town and outlying districts by travelling on horseback through the country. While there he first met the late DeVillo Schaefer, while playing on opposing football teams.
In April of 1916, William Smith married Sarah Armstrong Oliver, a Calgary school teacher. During World War One, Reverend Smith was a chaplain to The Young Men's Christian Association and was posted overseas, mainly working in London, England. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and infant son, Oliver, returned to the Peace River country as pioneers for the church, serving the congregations of Spirit River, Clairmont and Sexsmith.
Reverend and Mrs. Smith accepted calls to the churches of Consort and Redcliff and later years were spent at Radway and Thorhild.
Ten years, from 1937 until 1947, were spent among the Indians at Duffield. While there, Reverend Smith held services at Hopkins United Church in the Smithfield District. Mrs. Smith organized a choir, from the congregation at Smithfield, and it was a very successful venture. She also taught Sunday School classes in the Duffield school on Friday afternoons, after the students were dismissed by the teacher.
In 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Darwell, until Reverend Smith officially retired in 1957. The Begbie United Church at Darwell, Alberta, was named in his honor.
In 1958, Mr. and Mrs. Smith returned to the Smithfield District to live with their son Oliver and his wife, Carol. They enjoyed their six grandchildren: Ernest, Stuart, Norma, Barbara, Louise and Ellen. Mrs. Smith passed away in December of 1964.
Mr. William Smith was honored on his eighty-eighth birthday and was still young in heart and spirit. At one time, he was a guest speaker at the 4-H Sewing Club, to which two of his granddaughters belonged. His topic was "First Sewing Clubs in Scotland".
Mr. Smith is still living with his son, Oliver and wife Carol, on their farm north of Duffield, in 1975. He is ninety-six years of age, and has slowed down just a little at this time.