Dr. William Henry Terry, III

Dr. William Henry "Bill" Terry, III, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 10, 2023, after a valiant battle with cancer. Bill was born on July 9, 1943, in Georgetown, Texas to the late William Henry Terry, Jr. and Evelyn Pearson Terry. He graduated from Thomasville High School in 1961. After high school, Bill attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where he was a co-op student at NASA and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in 1966.

After graduation, Bill worked at Lockheed Georgia for a year before enrolling in medical school at The Medical College of Georgia in 1967. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 1971, then completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Nephrology at The Medical College of Georgia in 1976. Bill then moved to Macon, Georgia, and began working at The Medical Center of Central Georgia. In 1979, he and Dr. Stanley Peskoe founded Nephrology Associates of Macon, providing nephrology and dialysis services to the middle Georgia area. He joined the faculty at Mercer University School of Medicine in 1984. Bill was Board Certified in the fields of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Geriatrics, and Critical Care Medicine and maintained the distinction of the Hartman Professor of Nephrology at Mercer. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching, working with medical students and residents, and sharing his medical knowledge. Bill was a compassionate physician and cared deeply for his patients. He continued practicing medicine and teaching well into his 70s until his recent retirement in 2021.

Bill was a longtime member of Idle Hour Country Club where he loved playing tennis, socializing with friends, and attempting the game of golf. He devoured books and had many hobbies over the years, but he was particularly passionate about his telescopes, airplanes, amateur radios, and firearms. He loved being a pilot and taking family and friends flying. Bill purchased a 150-acre farm in Jones County in 1993 where he and his wife, Terri lived for over 25 years, hosting family, friends, and church events. He loved spending time in his garage communicating with buddies from around the world and was a member of the amateur radio community since the age of 15 (K4BYR). On any given Saturday afternoon, you could always find Bill at his shooting range sharing stories with his buddies or entertaining friends, medical students, and residents. He was also a dedicated Georgia Tech fan and enjoyed attending football games but could barely stand watching on TV and could often be heard mumbling THWG. Bill will especially be remembered for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, generosity, and vast intellect. Bill was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed spending time with his church family.

Bill is survived by his sweetheart and loving wife of 28 years, Terri West Terry, and sons Christopher William Terry (Dr. Jocelyn Rogers), Benjamin Scott Terry (Rhonda), and Matthew Morgan Terry (Chantel), all of Macon. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Henry Terry, Kate Terry, Mary Evelyn Terry, Emma Terry, Bo Terry, Mattix Terry, and Dawson Terry. He is survived by brother Zack Terry (Susan) of Destin, Florida, sister Nebbie Maslin (Bill) of Starkville, Mississippi, eight nieces, three nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Elam Memorial Gardens, Elam Church Road, Gray, Georgia, with Bishop Tim England officiating. The family will greet friends after the service.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. 

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements. 

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