William Hight was a local farrier and general blacksmith, who had a shop on Taonui Road, Colyton. Hight was born in 1862 in Christchurch, to David Hight, one of Canterbury's oldest pioneers. Shortly after leaving school, Hight was apprenticed to James Armstrong of Waddington, and then to John Fraser in Springfield.
Hight first established himself in business at Kimberly, where he stayed five years before coming to the North Island and taking over the business in Colyton. By all accounts, his business was very successful - he was a "skilled tradesman" who closely studied the wants of his customers.
Hight was married twice, first to Alice Ann Stott, and then to Mary Ellen Wheeler. He had several children, although the exact number and names of his offspring are unknown. He passed away on September 1, 1913.