William Mountford attended Burgh Theological College in England and moved to South Africa in 1916 as an Anglican missionary, based in the Transkei. He served in Tsolo, Flagstaff and other parts, travelling on his white horse, dressed beautifully in white jacket and pith helmet. He moved to St Stithians in Durban as a deacon and met Ida May Darnley, newly arrived from England. They were known as "the handsomest couple in Durban". They married in 1923 and the reception was held at the Royal Hotel. William served in parishes throughout Natal including Stanger, Newcastle (where he was mayor during the 2nd World war) and Greytown, ending his career at St Mary's, Greyville, Durban as a very senior clergyman.