At the outbreak of the Civil War William Athey and his wife Jane had eight children and were living on a farm in Montgomery County, Alabama. William was born in South Carolina around 1806. His eldest sons, George and W.C. Athey served in the Civil War, George with the 22nd Alabama Infantry and W. C. with the 3rd Battalion, Hillard's Legion (which later became part of the 60th Alabama Infantry). George was mortally wounded at the Battle of Nashville. W. C. was wounded and taken priosoner at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia on April 6, 1865 but survived the war. William had a younger brother, Henry Athey, born circa 1809, who also had a son, J. B. Athey, who died in the war.