Born: August 5, 1838, Duddeston/Neihells, Aston, Warwickshire, England

Father: James Page

Mother: Lousia Graves

Died: May 28, 1896, Bountiful, Davis Co, Utah

William Page came to Utah as a Latter-day Saint convert in 1856 in the Edward Martin handcart company. His first home in the Valley was with the Henry W. Lawrence family where he did chores for his board and lodging. In the spring he made his way to Bountiful and lived for a time with the Bates Noble family. The following year he was called by LDS President Young to repair guns in the Public Work Shop in Salt Lake City. When word was received that Johnston's army was on its way to Utah Territory, William joined the Daniel H. Wells company and spent part of the winter in Echo Canyon defending the Saints.

In 1860, when the Pony Express was put in operation, William became one of the riders, his run being between Salt Lake and Fort Bridger. Many thrilling experiences were encountered on these long rides, evading hostile Indians and delivering mail on schedule in spite of serious weather conditions.

After the Express was discontinued William returned to Bountiful where he worked for William Muir operating threshing machines. While there he became acquainted with Mary Ann Clark, a recent Latter-day Saint convert from Leamington, England, and after six months' courtship they were married March 24, 186. At this time he had little knowledge of either reading or writing, but his wife was well educated, and under her patient tutelage, oft times by the light of sagebrush fires, he learned the rudiments of education. The young couple bought a small farm and built a one-room house. Soon after, both death and birth came to this cabin. On the 23rd of March Lousia Graves Page died, his parents having come to the Valley in 1860, and the following day their first child, Louisa, was born.

In 1872, William was called by LDS President Young to go to Arizona on a mission. He left his wife, with five little girls, in straightened circumstances while he obediently answered the call of the Church leaders. After his return he helped make adobes and haul timber from nearby canyons for the East Bountiful tabernacle. When South Bountiful was organized in 1877, he was selected as assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School which office he held until the time of his death. He was active in the civic affairs of the community, serving on the school board, member of the Old Folks Committee, chairman of the Democratic committee of Davis County, Justice of the Peace and Watermaster.

Death came suddenly May 28, 1893 from a heart seizure. Funeral services were held in the South Bountiful Ward meetinghouse at which time B.H. Roberts, of the LDS General Authorities, lauded his achievements and remarked that William Page was "indeed a diamond in the rough."

Source: Carter, Kate B.; Our Pioneer Heritage, vol. 3; Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1960. (This information provided by Dorothy M. Paul, University Libraries of Notre Dame)