William Thomas Sawyer was born on December 3, 1862 in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio to Robert Vanvolza and Martha Ann Sawyer. His grandfather, Thomas Sawyer, had settled in Springfield Township in 1829. Sawyer attended both country schools and Akron public schools before entering Buchtel College (now The University of Akron), from which he graduated in June 1887. Among his many activities during his college career was his charter membership in Lone Star Fraternity (Pi Kappa Epsilon), the oldest local fraternity in the United States.
After Sawyer spent time travelling, he read law for two years and in 1890 was admitted to the Ohio Bar. He actively engaged in the practice of law for twenty years thereafter. Sawyer was also involved to a large degree in real estate. He was owner of over forty subdivisions in or near Akron. He laid out and developed such areas as Colinwood, Sawyerwood, Shore Acres, and Cottage Grove.
Being keenly interested in politics, Sawyer became a member of the Democratic County Committee in 1890 and served on it for many years, including several years as its chairman. During this time he rarely missed a district or state convention. He was a candidate for Congress in 1896 and served two terms as Treasurer of Portage Township. He became Akron's first police court prosecutor, appointed by Mayor William H. Miller, and later served on the Akron City Council.
Sawyer was elected Mayor of Akron in November 1907, and his re-election in 1909 was a reflection of the good job he had performed during his first term. He was one of the leading advocates of a municipally owned waterworks and, despite strong opposition, won a campaign for the purchase of the privately owned system. Acting on Sawyer's suggestion, the city selected the Cuyahoga River as the source of supply for the waterworks. Sawyer then directed the purchase of all the land needed for the reservoir, which was later named Lake Rockwell.
Included in Sawyer's list of community activities were his service for ten years as Trustee of Buchtel College, as well as his membership in the Portage Country Club, Akron City Club, the Odd Fellows, Elks, Eagles and Modern Woodmen. He also belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
On October 15, 1889, Sawyer married Bessie C. Voris, daughter of General and Mrs. Alvin Coe Voris. Mrs. Sawyer was a leader in Akron's social and cultural circles for many years and was a member of several women's organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Loyal Legion. Mrs. Sawyer was also widely known for her talents as a lecturer.
William and Bessie Sawyer had two children: Lucy Martha and Robert Voris. In 1921, Lucy Sawyer became the wife of Perry H. Stevens, a judge in the Ninth District Court of Appeals. In 1926, Robert Sawyer married Margaretha Childs, daughter of Colonel George Childs.
Bessie Voris Sawyer died July 10, 1934. and William Thomas Sawyer died on May 26, 1953 at the age of 90.