William Turner Wilhite was born around 1843 in Georgia to Mahala Wilhite. His father probably died sometime before 1850. He grew up in Jackson County, Georgia, and by 1850, the family owned $150 of real estate.  

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on June 14, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company C of the 18^th Georgia Infantry. The regiment took part in the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Knoxville, the Overland Campaign, and the siege of Petersburg. He was wounded at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, and he was promoted to sergeant on January 25, 1864. He remained in the army until at least January 1865.

 

He returned to Jackson County after leaving the army, and he married Sarah Espy on August 16, 1866. They had at least two children: Mary, born around 1868; and Mahala, born around 1869. He worked as a farmer, and by 1870, he owned $700 of real estate and $200 of personal property. He died sometime after 1870.

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