William Thomas Smellie was born at Barrhead on June 7, 1892. He was educated at Glasgow High School and the University of Glasgow, graduating M. A. in 1913.
During the First World War he served as a Lieutenant in the 6th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and later as a Captain in the Royal Engineers. He was awarded the O.B.E. for services rendered during the German attacks of March 28 and April9, 1918.
He went as Assistant to North Berwick after being licensed by the Presbytery of Paisley in 1918. He was ordained on February 17, 1921, and inducted to Lowson Memorial Parish, Forfar; translated in 1925 to The High Kirk, Rothesay; in 1936 he moved to St. Andrew's Church, Dundee; and finally became first minister of the united charge of Pollokshields-Titwood Parish on August 1, 1941.
Mr. Smellie made use of his wide knowledge of literature to illustrate some significant point in an address with an apt quotation to emphasise its importance. His own publications included "The Tombstones of Rothesay Churchyard and the Kirk-Session Records of Rothesay (1658- 1750)", "The Kirk-Session Records of Kingarth (1641 - 1703)" and "Translation of Buteshire Natural History Society - X; XI; XII".
He was called upon to carry out many extra duties while Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow for the year 1954-1955. As he came into contact with a larger section of the community his talents became more widely known and appreciated. He played an important part in the televised service at the dedication of the New Church of Toryglen under the title "The Church in the Midst" on September 24, 1954.
His very sudden death at the age of 63 years occurred on December 5, 1955, less than an hour after leaving a meeting of his fellow ministers in his normal cheerful manner.
