WILLIAM SAMUEL STEPHENSON, according to his birth certificate, was born William Samuel Clouston on January 25, 1897 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His mother’s maiden name was Sarah Goodfime Isbiston. His father’s name was Samuel Hunter Stanger. Both immigrated to Canada. She was an Icelandic mother and his father was Scottish. His parents were unable to take care of him and he was adopted by an Icelandic family with the last name of Stephenson. He was given his foster family’s last name. It’s hard to believe this man years later would be the inspiration for writer Ian Fleming’s SIR JAMES BOND, 007.

 Bill left school at an early age and at age 14 began working as a telegraph operator. His only claim to fame while living in Winnipeg was recognizing bank robber and murderer John Krafchenko. He told the police and to make a long story short, the killer was hung.