Mr William Smith was reportedly born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, perhaps sometime around 1886. He was the son of Thomas Smith and was unmarried but little else is known about he or his family.

When he signed on in Southampton on 6 April 1912 for Titanic's maiden voyage, Smith gave his local address as 12 Bridge Road. His previous ship had been the Minnewaska and as an ordinary seaman he could expect monthly wages of £5.

William Smith died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His father later sued for monies owed:

LOST WITH THE TITANIC
Before his Honour Judge Amphlett, K.C., at the Birmingham County Court yesterday, Mr Wallace Robinson applied on behalf of Thomas Smith for the payment to him of a sum of money paid into the court was compensation for the death of his son William, aged 25, who was lost in the Titanic disaster.

Mr Robinson said the sum paid into court was, under the circumstances, a fair and reasonable one. Deceased served as a seaman, and part of his time as a steward. He was unmarried.

Thomas Smith said his son contributed various sums to his maintenance.

The application was granted. - Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1 August 1912