Coleman, as he was most commonly known, was the son of John Anderson "Peat" McClanahan and Amanda C. Ledford. He was born at home in the Alarka Community of Swain County.

He was first married to Mary Candler Brooks, daughter of daughter of William Candler Brooks [1886-1909] and Rosa L Brendle [1889-1963], on 10 May 1925. Performed by: W.H. Eller, Baptist Minister on Alarka. John Harvey Cochran, William Riley Thomas, Ben Nations, witnesses.

Four children would be born to this union: Olle Belle (McClanahan) Helton, Elizabeth "Lizzie" McClanahan, Maggie Mae McClanahan, and John William McClanahan.

This marriage would end in divorce.

Coleman would later take a second wife, Maggie Mae Bowers, ca. 1940. Nine children would be born to this union: Frances W (McClanahan) Dorsey, Edith Ann (McClanahan) Jenkins, Peggy Jane (McClanahan) Hayes, Leon McClanahan, Rollon McClanahan, Phillip Warner McClanahan, Sandra Marie (McClanahan) Tallent, Janet Lee (McClanahan) Allen, and William Coleman McClanahan, Jr.

While his headstone indicates the surname of Smith, Coleman's rightful birth name was William Coleman McClanahan.

He was 86-years of age.

∼William Coleman Smith first wife was Mary Candler Brooks, daughter of daughter of William Candler Brooks [1886-1909] and Rosa L Brendle [1889-1963], on 10 May 1925. Performed by: W.H. Eller, Baptist Minister on Alarka. John Harvey Cochran, William Riley Thomas, Ben Nations, witnesses.

William Coleman Smith and Mary Candler Brooks Smith had four children: Olle Belle Helton, Elizabeth "Lizzie" , Maggie Mae , and John William .
William Coleman Smith and Mary Candler Brooks Smith divorced.
William Coleman Smith second wife was Maggie Mae Bowers,had nine children:Frances W Dorsey, Edith Ann Jenkins, Peggy Jane Hayes, Leon , Rollon , Phillip Warner , Sandra Marie Tallent, Janet Lee Allen, and William Coleman , William Coleman Smith Jr.
North Carolina Birth Index
Name William Coleman Smith
Event Type Birth
Event Date 16 Jan 1903
Event Place Swain, North Carolina
Other Event Place Alarka
Gender Male
Race White
Father's Name John Anderson Smith
Mother's Name Mandy Ledford
Page 400
Source Reference 9 William Coleman Smith
North Carolina Deaths
Name William Coleman Smith
Event Type Death
Event Date 10 Jan 1990
Event Place Bryson City, Swain, North Carolina
Birth Year 1903
Burial Place Bryson City, N.C.
Cemetery Brendle
Residence Place Bryson, Swain, N.C.
Address Cochran Rd.
Gender Male
Age 86
Marital Status Widowed
Race (Original) White
Occupation Carpenter
Birth Date 16 Jan 1903
Birthplace Swain Co., N.C.
Father's Name Pete Smith
Mother's Name Amanda Ledford