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 Georgetown has not been the same since 1959 when the wanna-be cowboy, Bill Smith moved to
town. Settling in the small town with his family, he was
interested in livening it up. The community did not believe in recreational
programs for kids so, in 1960 Bill started the Georgetown Baseball Association.
As President, he took the initiative to solicit a few friends to use their own
lawn mowers to clear and cut the grass so that over 500 kids could play
baseball. Later, as Chairman of the Centennial Committee for the Municipality,
he took the initiative to get a grant for the town to purchase the property that
we now enjoy as Cedarvale Park.
Bill used his personal
connections with Maple Leaf Stadium to have the kids play a couple of innings at
the old Maple Leaf Stadium in Toronto, and then they all stayed to watch a
professional game. He organized a convoy of cars to take the kids into Toronto
with a police escort. It is said that when the count was made to go home, one
child was missing, but not lost, since a parent had picked up their child and failed to communicate that to
Bill. Many of these kids (now in their fifties) still remember being treated to
an ice cream, compliments of Bill.
 The little man with the big hat
was active in the Harrison Home and School and St. George’s Anglican Parent
Organization for the Boy Scout Group. He sponsored hockey sports teams
personally and through his business. Bill was elected to council in 1962, and
became Mayor until 1973 when Georgetown became part of Halton Hills. He served
on the Hydro Commission until 1994. He started the Bill Smith Invitational Golf
Tournament for Charity in 1976 and has contributed over $600,000 for cancer to
date. Now Bill Smith is fifty years older and still going strong. The hair is
grayer, a stroke has affected his arm and leg but it has not slowed him down.
 Bill was the main mastermind to challenge a group of volunteers to keep services
in Halton Hills when the Canadian Cancer Society decided to close its office.
Hence, CASHH (Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills) was born. The little
man with the big hat has been an active board member since its inception. He
also serves as an active board member for the Georgetown Hockey Heritage
Association.
Where would Georgetown be
without the little man with the big hat? We will never know, but one thing is
for sure –Bill did not wait until someone else made the first move. His strong
personality and the ability to start a project and get people motivated has been
good for Georgetown. The community has benefited greatly from his personal
generosity, thoughtfulness and kindness. We are proud of this man’s courage to
take risks and not give up. Georgetown is the recipient of many benefits from
those who made things happen.
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