William Rhys Jones was born in 1858 in Y Fach-wen, Caernarfonshire. After a period working as an apprentice in a clothes shop, he turned to the ministry and studied at Llangollen and Bangor before being ordained in 1892 as a Baptist Minister. He served as minister at Penrhyn-coch, Cardiganshire, Penrhiw-ceibr, Glamorgan, Llansanffraid Glynceiriog, Denbighshire and finally at Barry, Glamorgan.
He married Ethel Hilda Jones in 1894 and had two daughters. He died in 1937.
For further biographical details, consult Gwenith Gwyn : Cynheilydd Traddodiad ei Dadau by Robin Gwyndaf in Trafodion Cymdeithas Hanes Bedyddwyr Cymru, 1980.
From the guide to the Gwenith Gwyn Sermons, c. 1928 - 1934, (Bangor University)