Bill Smith (Alberta politician)

William Smith (born December 11, 1935) is a Canadian businessman, former politician, and former professional football player. Smith was a mayor of Edmonton, Alberta from 1995 until 2004. Smith was a Grey Cup champion with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Bill Smith
33rd Mayor of Edmonton
In office
October 16, 1995 – October 26, 2004
Preceded byJan Reimer
Succeeded byStephen Mandel
Personal details
Born (1935-12-11) December 11, 1935 (age 88)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
SpouseMarlene Trudel
Children4
ProfessionBusinessman
Signature
Football career
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)E, DB
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career history
As player
19561963Edmonton Eskimos
Career highlights and awards
  • Grey Cup champion (1956)
CFL West All-Star1960

Smith was born in 1935 in Edmonton, Alberta. Smith played for the Eskimos from 1956 to 1963 as a defensive back. Smith was named a West All-Star in 1960.[1][2]

Smith was first elected in 1995 after defeating incumbent Mayor Jan Reimer and was re-elected in 1998 and 2001. As Mayor, Smith was known as "Booster Bill" for his efforts in promoting Edmonton as the "Greatest City in the Greatest Province in the Greatest Country."[3] During his term in office, Smith is credited with being instrumental in bringing the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the Juno Awards and the World Masters Games to Edmonton. Smith was defeated by Councillor Stephen Mandel in the 2004 Edmonton municipal election.

After his mayoralty ended, Smith became a director of BioNeutra, a producer of VitaFiber, a natural fiber-based food sweetener.[4] Smith is also a director of Imperial Equities.[5]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ "Bill Smith". cflapedia.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  2. ^ "Bill Smith Stats - Pro Football Archives".
  3. ^ Kuban, Ron (2005). Edmonton's Urban Villages: The Community League Movement. Edmonton: University of Alberta. p. 146. ISBN 0-88864-438-8.
  4. ^ Lamphier, Garry (February 25, 2016). "Former Edmonton mayor Booster Bill is now BioNeutra Bill, and he's lovin' it". Edmonton Journal.
  5. ^ "Board of Directors". Imperial Equities. Archived from the original on 2016-03-18.
Preceded by Mayor of Edmonton
1995–2004
Succeeded by