William James Scott was born in Martintown, Ontario in 1855. He served an apprenticeship as a wheelwright in New York state before returning to Ontario to start a business in Lancaster. In June, 1881 he married Janet Ann McDermid and the Scott family moved to Alberta in 1906. Scott set up the first carriage shop in Strathcona, Alberta. He eventually entered a partnership with his son, Arthur Hamilton, and the shop became W.J. Scott and Son.

William Scott was active with the Presbyterian and United Church, having taught Sunday school with churches in Ontario and serving as elder and Sunday school teacher with Knox United Church in Edmonton for 27 years. Scott was also active with the temperance movement.

William and Janet Ann Scott had eight children: Herbert Woodsworth (1883-1939), Arthur Hamilton (1884-1945), Charles McDermid (1886-1971), Stanley (1888-1988), Mary Sinclair (1889-1978), William Hudson (1893-1968), Norman (1896-1959), and Anna Edna (1900-1969). Janet Ann died in 1930 and William in 1933.