William Samuel Terry, III, prominent Barren County farmer, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023 after an illness of six and-a-half weeks. Since childhood he was known to all as “Bumpy,” a nickname bestowed upon him as a child and continuing throughout his 86 years.
The Barren County native was born at Oakwood Farm on July 31, 1937 to the late William S. Terry, Jr. and Frances Cheaney Terry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death in 2017 by his wife of 55 years, Martha Matthews Terry. He was also predeceased by his sister, Carolyn Ann.
As a young boy, his interest in the family farm and stewardship of the Earth, were his great passions that continued throughout his life. In 1957 he was the first Barren Countian to earn the American Farmer Degree of the Future Farmers of America. He was firmly rooted to the soil and as the proprietor of Terryoaks Jerseys, an award-winning Grade-A Dairy, which he operated for 63 years.
Mr. Terry was a faithful member of the Hiseville Christian Church.
He is survived by his son, W. Samuel Terry, IV. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Pitsy Buren and Mary Newby; brother-in-law, James A. Matthews, III; nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Thomas M. Cheaney.
Visitation for William S. Terry, III will be Sunday, September 17 from 3 to 8pm at Hatcher and Saddler Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Monday, September 18 from 9 to 11am at Hiseville Christian Church followed by funeral services at 11am. Burial will follow at the Horse Cave Cemetery where he will be laid to rest among five generations of his ancestors.
Suggested alternate expressions of sympathy include Community Medical Care, 204 N. Race Street, Glasgow KY 42141 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or a preferred charity.