William Smith "Curly Bill" son of Mary Smith of England & Edward Robinson of England. William was born in 1840 at Lancashire, England the 7th child of 9 children born to this family.

Edward & Mary with their 7 children left England in 1841, William was 1 year old at that time, to come to America. They traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were gathering. In 1844, Joseph the youngest of nine children, was born & died in Nauvoo. In 1845 his mother Mary Smith Robinson died leaving his father with 8 children to raise.
Edward Robinson a short time later married Ann Turner Wootton.

In July of 1849 William, at 9 years old, traveled as a Pioneer across the plains in the Ezra T Benson company to Salt Lake City, Utah. He walked most of the way... he remembered these life experience & shared the stories with family & friends.

William married Orpha Elzetta Adams on 27 December 1865.
They had 12 children together:
William Edward Robinson 1867-1919
Sabina Elzetta Robinson 1869-1948
Richard H Robinson 1871-1875
Mary Ann Robinson 1872-1936
Arza Robinson 1875-1875
Blanche Margaret Robinson 1876-1952
Nathan Robinson 1879-1955
John Heber Robinson 1881-1946
Olive Robinson 1883-1954
Florence May Robinson 1886-1973
Ida Robinson 1888-1980
Millie Robinson 1893-1938


William was known as "Curly Bill" most of his life due to his dark curly hair which in his later years turned a beautiful white. William and Orpha celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1915. Orpha left her sweetheart alone 1 year later. William's daughter Sabina, who was a widow, moved in with William to care for him. William's family was very devoted to him in his declining years. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came frequently to visit. When he was 96 he told them to let him go--he was ready to be reunited with his sweetheart Orpha. He died May 13, 1936. The family home and surrounding grounds were donated to American Fork City, which is now known as "Robinson Park," where a memorial is in place remembering William and his family.

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BIOGRAPHY:
GLIMPSES INTO THE LIFE OF WILLIAM SMITH ROBINSON
Written by Myrtle Robinson Seastrand -Oldest Granddaughter
(Daughter of William Edward Robinson)
William S. Robinson's life on earth lasted almost a century, from July 29, 1840 until May 13, 1936. He was privileged to see the world's greatest one hundred years of progress....
William Smith was born the same year that Mormonism was first preached in Manchester, England, by Hiram Clark and William Clayton. When he was about one year old, he became seriously ill, and his mother, a very religious woman with great interest in this new religion, sent for the Mormon missionaries. Brigham Young was then in Manchester and came to their home, anointed and laid his hands upon the sick child's head, and promised the parents that he should "be made well and live to a ripe, old age. Grandfather has been a living testimony of this healing, and always spoke of it with appreciative reverence. Soon after this, his father also joined the Church, and often let the missionaries ride free on the cars. (Edward was the 1st railroad conductor in the world on Robert Stevenson's Steam Engine "The Rocket")...

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OBITUARY:
Final Respects Paid Pioneer Citizen:
Final Respects were paid William S. Robinson, the oldest citizen of American Fork Sunday afternoon with services in the Alpine Stake Tabernacle. Mr. Robinson was born in England and came to Utah with his parents when just a boy. He was one of the first residents to settle in this city and has always taken an great pride in the betterment of the entire community.
Bishop T. A. Greenwood of the First Ward was in charge of the services. As the funeral cortege left the home and crossed the road to the tabernacle a group of boys under the direction of professor Sauer of the Brigham Young University, with trumpets and trombones, played "Rock of Ages." As the procession entered the building, the music was picked up by the organ, played by Mrs. Owen Homphries, and two violins played by Selma and Lillian Seastrand, great-grandchildren.
"I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go," the opening song was sung by a male quartet, the members being Joseph Young, Rulon Nicholes, Kenneth Robinson and West Hammond. Prayer was offered by stake clerk, Eli J. Clayton. Mrs. E. J. Seastrand read a biographical sketch of the life of Mr. Robinson, her grandfather.
Former Bishop James T. Gardner of the First ward, was the first speaker and told of his life-long acquaintance with Mr. Robinson and of the many times he had received encouragement and other help from this friend of the entire community. "I'm A Pilgrim" was sung by John Halliday and Miss Edith Harrison, accompanied by Mrs. Jensen, all of Pleasant Grove.
Leo T. Shelley spoke of his working with Mr. Robinson at the time Mr. Shelley was doing his first ward teaching. He told of the life time of service to his church and the keen interest in his surroundings that was maintained even in the last hours of his life. Mrs. C. E. Young sang the beautiful solo "No Night There." President Clifford E. Young spoke of Mr. Robinson, indorsing all that had been said by the other speakers and adding his testimony to the good accomplished in a life of service for others.
Bishop Greenwood summoned up the remarks of the others and his knowledge of the deceased in the following attributes: friendly, kind, helpful, generous, self-control, thrifty and spiritual minded. The quartet sang "A Perfect Day" and the benediction was pronounced by Bishop Joseph Storrs.
Internment was made in the city cemetery. As the casket was lowered the group from the B.Y.U. played, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." The grave was dedicated by West Jacobs of Pleasant Grove. The instrumental group were Bennie Schmiett, Bruce Barclay, Glade Jorgenson, Vance Bennett and Don Earl.