Son of James & Matilda Purcell Bays. Husband of (1st) Nancy Carter Bays, to whom he was married from March 6, 1856 until 1866, and (2nd) Sarah L. Hensley Bays, whom he married in June of 1869.

He was a Confederate Soldier in the Civil War.

He is mentioned in the book "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone - The Carter Family & Their Legacy in American Music", on page 20, as his first wife was the grandmother of A.P. Carter of the famous Carter Family.

William Anderson Bays served in Co. H of the 48th Virginia Infantry, a totally volunteer regiment, during the Civil War. According to a Historical Society of Washington County Virginia Publication, Series II, No. 7, Winter-Spring 1968-1969 and according to a History of the 48th Virginia Infantry, Virginia Volunteer Army of the Confederate, by James A. Casada, the regiment was mustered on May 18, 1861, with 912 officers and men and was technically under the command of Gen. William Lohring as the army of the Northwest, but actually under the command of Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Lohring and Jackson had their differences. Jackson, not technically in command, tendered his resignation and initiated court martial proceedings against Lohring. The outcome was that Lohring and his staff were reassigned to Georgia and the 48th Virginia Infantry became under Jackon's direct command and became a part of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment fought valiantly in any number of major battles, including Sharpsburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Upon Jackson's accidental death they were under the command of Gen. Jubal A. Early. Constant fighting gradually reduced the ranks of the 48th until on April 1, 1865, almost four years later, they fought their last battle. Most had either fallen in battle or into enemy hands after being wounded in battle. The 48th Virginia Infantry protected Lee's flanks as he fell back to Appomattox Court House where Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865. Of the original 912 officers and men of the 48th Virginia Infantry, only 37 survived to surrender.

William A. Bays was severely wounded in combat, and, at the end of the war, was being held in a Yankee prison camp in Elmira, New York under such inhumane conditions that the camp became the final resting place for many not already killed in battle. William A. Bays returned home several months after the end of the war emaciated and was still recovering from his wounds.

Upon returning home William found that his wife, Nancy Carter Bays, was pregnant. The child who throughout his life carried the name Robert C. Carter, was born March 20, 1866, so Nancy would have been pregnant by June 1865, which was before Billy Bays returned home from the Yankee prison. He sought a divorce in Scott County and the case was heard, the divorce denied, and the order entered on April 19, 1866 in Scott Co., Chancery Book, page 156. Following a second divorce petition William was granted a divorce and either by order or by agreement of the parties took custody of James Dulaney, Martha "Sis," and Angeline "Annie." Mary was only about five years. She remained with her mother, Nancy.

William A. Bays II said that his grandfather, William Anderson Bays I, in his adult years would mount his horse from the rear, like Western stunt riders, to the amusement of children who were around. To have done this he would have to have been very agile, very brave, and, above all, have a lot of confidence in his horse.

The 1860 census enumerates William (age 20), Nancy (age 24), James (age 3), Martha M. (age 1) and Angelina (age 3 months). William was a farmer. All born in Virginia.

The 1870 census records William A. Bays (age 30, married in June), Sarah (age 20, married in June), James (age 13), Martha (age 11), Angeline (age 9) and Delina (age 1 month). All family members were born in Virginia. He was a farm laborer.

The 1880 Census for Lee County, Virginia provides the following information on the family of William A. Bays (age 40) and Sarah L. Bays (age 30) -- children living at home included Delina (age 10), E. P. (age 8), Tealy (age 7), W. J. (age 5), Rachael (age 3) and Matilda (age 7 months).

In the 1900 census for the same location, the family consisted of William A.(age 60, born Aug 1839), Sarah L. (age 50, born Dec 1849), Tealey (age 27, born Mar 1873), Wilburn J. (age 25, born May 1875), and John (age 17, born Nov 1882). This same record also indicates William and Sarah had been married for 30 years and that they had eight children, seven of whom were living at the time the census was taken.

In the 1910 census, the family consisted of William A. (age 70), Sarah L. (age 60) and John (age 27). The couple had been married for 40 years, and 6 of their 7 children were living.

In the 1920 census, Sarah L. is listed as a widow, age 70 living in the home of her daughter, Matilda Yeary.