William Hugh Carter was born near Danville in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, February 2, 1878. The family moved to Salem, where he attended the public schools. For one year, he taught in public school in Roanoke County, Virginia, and in September, 1897, entered Richmond College to prepare for the Baptist ministry. After being out of college for one year, he received the B.A. degree from Richmond College, June, 1902.
Founder Carter's campus activities included debate, YMCA, and varsity basketball. He became a teacher in Southside Academy, Chase City, Virginia, in 1902-1903 and was principal of the Chase City Graded School for the next two years. During this three-year period, he served as the editor of the Chase City Progress. In September, 1905, he entered Crozer Theological Seminary, where Jenkens had gone, and received the bachelor of divinity degree in May, 1908. He then became pastor of the First Baptist Church, Winchester, Virginia, for six-and-a-half years. Subsequent pastorates were at Hertford, North Carolina, three-and-a-half years; Crewe, Virginia, ten-and-a-half years; and Marion, Virginia, 18 years.
Retiring from active pastorates, he served
as field worker for the Sunday School Department of the Varina Baptist Board
of Missions and Education. Brother Carter died in Salem, Virginia, on January
5, 1971, at the age of 92.