Private William T Gilley was born in Early County, Georgia on May 2nd, 1824. He was orphaned in 1839. His relocation to Manatee County, Florida occurred between 1845 and 1855.

He is documented as serving as a Private in William B. Hooker’s Company during the 3rd Seminole War.

He married Martha M. Johnson May 31st, 1860 at Manatee County, Florida.

He was mustered into Confederate service on April 25th, 1862 when he was enlisted as a Private in Captain Smith’s Company (Key West Avengers), 7th Regiment Florida Infantry by Major R. B. Thomas at Tampa, Florida for a period of 3 years or the war. He was reported present on all rolls until about September 8th, 1862 when he was reported captured and paroled at London, Kentucky. He was exchanged at Cumberland Gap, Tennessee on September 16th, 1862.

He was reported absent without leave in Manatee County from September 1862 through May 4th, 1863. He was reported present from that time until July 22nd, 1864 when he was captured during the Battle of Atlanta.

He was sent to the Military Prison at Louisville, Kentucky arriving there about July 30th, 1864. He was transferred from there on July 31st, 1864 to Camp Chase Ohio. He was paroled at Camp Chase, Ohio on March 4th, 1865 and transferred to City Point, Virginia for exchange.

He died at Parrish, Manatee County, Florida on March 12th, 1893.