William Machin Stairs, (January 21, 1789 – November 28, 1865) was a merchant, a banker, and a statesman.
John Stairs became involved in the shipping business but after some financial difficulties the family returned to Philadelphia in 1793.
In 1810, Stairs opened a small general store on the Halifax waterfront that marked the beginnings of a business dynasty that endured to 1975.
Stairs was also active in politics, serving as a Member of the Nova Scotia General Assembly from 1841 to 1843, then as mayor of Halifax from 1847 to 1848 and later as a Legislative Councillor.
A member of the Glasite Christian church, William Machin Stairs was married to Margaret Wiseman (1793–1850) with whom he had nine children.