William "Bill" Joseph Terry

William J. Terry, (“Bill”) was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 10, 1943. He passed away on October 26, 2022 with his loving family around him after a long battle with Parkinsons lewy-body dementia. Bill grew up in Georgia with his brother Mike, and sisters Teresa, and Francis, before moving to Orlando, Florida where he attended Boone High School.

After he graduated from Boone, Bill enrolled at the University of South Florida in Tampa. There he majored in History and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he met lifelong friends and became a loyal supporter of the Bulls. But most importantly, while he was attending USF, Bill met the love of his life Marie and the two married soon after graduating.

Bill loved Marie with all his heart, and they shared a life for the ages. After USF, Bill and Marie started their adventure by joining the Peace Corps, and shipping off to the tiny country of Malawi in Africa. There they taught English. Before returning to the United States, they rode camels through Egypt by the Great Sphynx and the Pyramids, and strolled through the Parthenon in Greece before visiting his adopted homeland of Spain (a culture and people he loved). He would eventually return to Spain numerous times and send his children to live in and attend school in Spain.

When Bill returned from the Peace Corp, he enrolled at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. Bill thrived in law school, where he wrote for the law review and enjoyed the academic challenge. While in law school, Bill and Marie welcomed their first son John to the world. In the years that followed they would welcome their daughter Christy to the fold, and finally their twin sons Jeff and Scott.

After law school, Bill moved to Tampa and launched his legal career. Bill loved the law and being a lawyer. Over a legal career spanning nearly 50 years, Bill helped countless clients deal with countless problems mostly in civil legal matters. He served his clients well and was a passionate advocate for those he represented. Although skilled in all aspects of the legal practice, Bill was most at home in the courtroom and tried dozens of cases in his career. As a board-certified civil trial attorney, he thrived on the pressure and intensity of trial and took pride in zealously representing his clients.

When he wasn’t fighting for his clients, he could often be found on the water or at his home-away-from-home, the Davis Island Yacht Club. An avid sailor, Bill notoriously raced his boats Seawalker, Phantom, Hot Tub, and finally Tampa Girl, around the bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some of his finest memories were racing to Mexico (which he won several times), Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. And he was always grateful for the friendship, loyalty, and support of his crew members.

More than anything, Bill was a great husband, father, and friend. To his children, he stressed the importance of independence and education. He was forever proud to send all of his children to great universities to further their educations (John, Wake Forest; Christy, USF; Jeff, Clemson; Scott, Furman). And his sons John and Scott followed him into the practice of law where his advice and mentorship made both better men and lawyers. A true renaissance man, Bill loved reading, sports, architecture, and travel. He helped design and update three of his homes. He was very involved in the creation of three highly respected preschools (Hyde Park Day School, Seaborn Davis Islands and Seaborn Beach Park). He was also very involved in numerous local organizations including The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago, the Ybor City Rotary, Meals on Wheels and the University Club as well as being a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Preceded in death by his father Lee, mother Helen, and brother Mike. He is survived by Marie, as well as his sisters Teresa (John), Fran (Bob), his children John (Kelly), Christy (Lionel), Jeff, and Scott (Ashley), and many loving grandkids. His family plans to celebrate Bill’s life at a celebration beginning at 4:00 pm at Davis Island Yacht Club on November 20, 2022.