Terry Williams (politician)

Terry K. Williams was born in Rutland, Vermont in 1952, a son of William G. Williams and Josephine (Sbardella) Williams.{{cite news |date=15 February 2018 |title=Obituary, Melissa A. Downes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-downes/168661228/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, Vermont |page=A6 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last=Dritschilo |first=Gordon |date=15 September 2020 |title=Crowded field in Senate race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-senate/168660658/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, Vermont |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-senate/168660782/ A1], A3 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was raised and educated in Poultney.{{cite web |author=Secretary of the Vermont Senate |date=2025 |title=Biography, Senator Terry Williams |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2026/37413 |website=Legislature.Vermont.Gov |location=Montpelier, Vermont |publisher=Vermont General Assembly |access-date=23 March 2025}} He graduated from Poultney High School in 1970 and received an associate degree from New Hampshire Technical College in 1972.{{cite news |date=26 September 1972 |title=Engagements: Serena Hewes and Terry Williams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-engagements/168659604/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, Vermont |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} He later received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Regents College (now Excelsior University).

From 1972 through 1980, Williams worked as an automotive technician and he was a Vermont State Deputy Game Warden from 1978 to 1990. He enlisted in the Vermont Army National Guard in 1973 and served until 1979 when he was honorably discharged so he could accept his commission as a second lieutenant. He was an Armor officer from 1979 until retiring from the military in 2004, and was a member of the Active Guard Reserve program for 22 years. He retired as a lieutenant colonel, and his career included deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Williams's awards and decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Vermont Commendatrion Medal.{{cite news |last=Kahrs |first=Lee J. |date=28 October 2020 |title=An officer and a farmer: Terry Williams running for Rutland County Senate seat |url=https://brandonreporter.com/2020/10/28/an-officer-and-a-farmer/ |work=The Brandon Reporter |location=Brandon, Vermont}}

A Republican, Williams served on Poultney's selectboard, including appointment as the board's vice chairman. He was also a member of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and the board of directors of the Dodge House Veterans Assistance Office. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and is a life member of Disabled American Veterans.

Williams is a life member of the National Rifle Association and has served as vice president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs. He has also served as a director of the Federation Fund for Conservation and Training and is a member of Gun Owners of Vermont. Williams continues to live in Poultney, where he operates Slate Hill Farm, an enterprise previously owned by his grand-aunt and grand-uncle. Previously married to Serena Hewes, he is the father of three adult children and grandfather of five.

Williams ran unsuccessfully for ran for the Republican nomination for the Vermont Senate in 2018.{{cite news |last=Keays |first=Alan J. |date=28 August 2018 |title=Larson edges Williams by five votes in Rutland Senate recount |url=https://vtdigger.org/2018/08/28/larson-edges-williams-five-votes-rutland-senate-recount/ |work=VT Digger |location=Montpelier, Vermont}} He was nominated in 2020, but was unsuccessful in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Cotton |first1=Emma |last2=Elletson |first2=Grace |date=4 November 2020 |title=Republican wins Rutland County seat; new senators in Chittenden County |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2026/37413 |work=VT Digger |location=Montpelier, Vermont}} He was elected in 2022,{{cite news |last=Weinstein |first=Ethan |date=9 November 2022 |title=Democrats and Progressives hold their 23-seat supermajority in the Vermont Senate |url=https://vtdigger.org/2022/11/09/democrats-and-progressives-on-track-to-keep-their-supermajority-in-the-vermont-senate/ |work=VT Digger |location=Montpelier, Vermont}} and reelected in 2024.{{cite news |date=2025 |title=Legislative Guide: Rutland County Legislators |url=https://vtdigger.org/2025-vermont-legislative-guide/rutland-county/ |work=VT Digger |location=Montpelier, Vermont}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Vermont State Senators}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Terry}}

Category:1952 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Poultney (town), Vermont

Category:USNY Regents College alumni

Category:Vermont National Guard personnel

Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Category:Republican Party Vermont state senators

Category:21st-century members of the Vermont General Assembly