Washington Wills was a slave in the household of William H. Wills, a Methodist minister who lived in Halifax County, North Carolina. At the time of the Federal Census of 1860, Wills and his wife Anna had eight children living in their household. The oldest, Richard H. Wills (b. ca. 1837), was also a Methodist minister. Two other sons, George W. Wills (b. ca. 1842) and Edward Wills (b. ca. 1847), served in the Confederate Army. George served as a private in Co. I, 1st North Carolina Infantry (a six-month regiment) and later as a lieutenant in Co. D, 43rd North Carolina Infantry. Edward Wills served as a corporal in Co. K, 2nd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves. Washington Wills accompanied George W. Wills into the army, and after the death of George W. Wills, Washington Wills accompanied Edward Wills.