Sterling was the son of William D. Smith and Mary Araminta Owens. Settled in Washington in 1879. Husband of Martha "Mattie" Jane Wheelis who preceded him in death and Katherine "Edyth" Williams.

Obituary which ran in one of the Yakima newspapers reads as follows:
"Death Summons Pioneer Citizen- Edward Sterling Smith Dies Monday Evening After Stroke of Apoplexy - Resided here for 31 years - Friends From All Parts of the Valley Attend Funeral This Morning - - Stricken with apoplexy, about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon, while at work in the the Central Meat Market slaughter house, near the city, Edward Sterling Smith, pioneer resident of Wapato, died in his home at 8 o'clock that evening. He had not been in the best of health for several yars but he apparently was feeling well the day of his death and went about his work as usual. He was assisting Lester Lomax in butchering when he suffered the stroke. It is traditional with the Smith family to take the second name and Mr. Smith was always known as "Sterling." He was a pioneer of Klickitat county, having come to Goldendale in 1880. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, May 27, 1862, and was 70 years old. Coming west with his parents to California in 1875 at the age of 14, he later resided in Oregon and subsequently in Goldendale. In 1897 he removed to Zillah, where he farmed four years. Coming to Wapato in 1901, Mr. Smith farmed the land which is now occupied by the Wapato townsite. After farming for four years, he joined his brother, S.D. Smith, in the establishment of a meat market, known as the Wapato Meat Co., and operated it for many years. He had continued in the meat business in Wapato ever since. He was a member of the first school board orgainized for District 54 and gave much of his time and energy to development of the district. Affiliated with the Democratic party since he attained his majority, "Sterling" was one of the wheelhorses of the party in Yakima county. He took a deep interest in politics and at the time of his death was looking forward eagerly to a Democratic victory in the national elections this fall. Of genial disposition, kindly and tolerant, "Sterling" was highly regarded by all who knew him. His sudden death came as a severe shock to his relatives and to his many friends. He was a member of the local Masonic lodge, affiliating with this orgainization soon after its founding in Wapato. He had been a member of the Christian church for many years. Funeral services were held this (Thursday) morning at 10 o'clock in the chapel of the Sourwine Funeral Home, with the Rev. C.D. Waters as officiating minister. The Masonic lodge had charge of the services at the grave in Tahoma cemetery. In respect to Mrs. Smith, a member of the Eastern Star and mother advisor of the local assembly of Rainbow Girls, members of these orders attended the funeral in a body, as did members of the Masonic lodge. The chapel proved inadequate to accommodate the friends from all parts of the valley who came to pay their last respects to "Sterling." Nearly as many persons stood outside the building as were seated in the chapel. The Rev. Mr. Waters paid stirring tribute to Mr. Smith's fearless spirit, to his unselfishness and to his kindly and genial disposition. "He was a man among men," he said, "a man whose soul had developed beyond himself, a man who lived not only for himself but for his relatives, his neighbors and his friends." During the funeral hour business houses throughout the city were closed in respect to the pioneer merchant. Pallbearers, all Masonic assosicates of Mr. Smith in the early history of the lodge, were A.E. McCredy, Harry Jones, S.R. Wheelis, George Dunn, C.S. Bilger and R.M. Johnson. Members of his family are his widow, Mrs. Edith Smith; three daughters, Miss Doris Smith of Wapato, Mrs. Velma Johnson of Yakima, and Mrs. Vivian Rodman of Ellensburg and one son, Orville Smith of Los Angeles. Three brothers also survive him, S.D. Smith of Wapato, John Smith of Goldendale, and L.B. Smith of San Diego. Coincidental with Mr. Smith's death is the fact that his brother the late C.D. [sic] Smith, died five years ago on the same date, and their father died on the same date in 1895."