His grandfather, also William Terry had fought in the American Revolutionary War, established a plantation using enslaved labor and helped found Bedford County before his death in 1814.

[4] His father had for years been a prominent citizen of Bedford County, and helped get the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad through the town, owned the only steam mill (a factory that employed 7 or 8 men and made parts for agricultural implements), served as a justice of the peace and advocated for education, although at least one local historian failed to distinguish between the two men.

His performance as captain at the First Battle of Manassas garnered attention, praise, and a promotion in September to colonel of the 24th Virginia Infantry, replacing Jubal A.

[10] Leading a charge at the Battle of Williamsburg during the Peninsula Campaign, Terry suffered the worst of his several combat wounds during the Civil War.

On May 31, 1864, Terry was promoted to brigadier general and led his depleted troops during the Battle of Cold Harbor and throughout the Siege of Petersburg.

His family's home, Oakwood, is still standing, his father having dying during the American Civil War, and his will of 1863 gave the property to his daughters Letitia Terry Whitlock and Agnes M.