born:   1785 in Johnston County, North Carolina
died:  1856 in Johnston County
buried: Family cemetery (unmarked grave) at the former home of John Rufus Coats
1810 Johnston County (North Carolina) Census: William Coats, 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 1 female 16-25.  In the vicinity are John Coats with 1 male 10-15, 1 male 45 and over, 1 female 10-15, 2 females 16-25, and 1 female 45 and over. Also in the vicinity is Amos Johnson, Sarah Stephenson's uncle. 
1820 Johnston County (North Carolina) Census: William Coats with 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 26-45, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45; next door is John Coats, 1 male 10-16, 1 male over 45, 1 female over 45. John Stephenson is in the vicinity. 
1830 Johnston County (North Carolina) Census: William Coats with 1 male 5-10, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 30-40, 1 female 40-50, 1 female 60-70.  Nearby is another William Coats, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 30-40. 
1850 Johnston County (North Carolina) Census (Smithfield District 3) shows William 65, Sally (Sarah) 63, Rufus 18, and Mary 22. 
Next door are sons Thomas and Amos and his brother John. 

In the name of God Amen.
I, William Coats Senr of the County of Johnston and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say:
First that my executor herein after named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may first come into his hands as a part of parcel of my estate.
I give and devise to my son A. Coats one hundred acres of land to be his and his heirs for ever.
I give and devise to my son William H. Coats one hundred acres of land to be his and his heirs for ever.
I give and devise to my son Thomas Coats one hundred acres of land to be his and his heirs for ever.
Then, I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter Cintha Austin wife of Alvin Austin the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid by my executor within two years from the time of my death out of any money belonging to my estate nor otherwise disposed of which sum together with sundry small sums heretofore advanced by me will make her a fair and equitable portion according to the value of my personal estate to be hers and at her disposal absolutely forever.
Item. I give of and bequeath to my daughter Zilla Stephenson wife of Moor Stephenson the like sum of one hundred dollars to be paid to her by my executor within two years after my death out of any moneys belonging to my estate to be hers and at her disposal forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Emily Johnson wife of James B. Johnson the like sum of one hundred dollars to be paid by my executor within two years from the time of my death out of any moneys belonging to my estate to be hers and at her disposal forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to the children of my deceased daughter Penelope Flowers family the wife of Jacob Flowers Junr viz to the eldest of her children David Lucian Flowers the sum of Twenty five Dollars and to William W. Flowers next eldest the like sum of Twenty five dollars. The said sum to be  by my executor put at interest within two years from the time of my death and so continued until the heirs above named in this item shall arrive at the full age of twenty one years or shall have a Guardian lawfully appointed when the said sum of twenty five dollars each with what ever interest may accrue to be paid to them as in this item described.
Item. My will and desire is that all the residue of my estate if any after taking out the devises and legacies above mentioned shall be sold and the debts owing to me collected and if there should any surplus over and above the payment of debts, expenses and legacies that such surplus shall be equally divided and paid over to my children in equal proportion share and share alike to them and each and every one of them their executors, administrators and assigns absolutely forever.
Item. I give and devise to my son John R. Coats the sum of five dollars to be his and his heirs forever.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty son William H. Coats my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other will and testament by me heretofor made.
In witness whereof I William Coats Senr do herewith let my name and seal this the 16 day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six.
                Wm. Coats
                    Seal
Witnesses: Benjamin Grimes and Gaston Johnson

Father:  John Coats
Mother: 

Spouse:  Sarah "Sally" Stephenson

Children:

1.  Alvin Coats (m. Ginsey Johnson)
2.  Cynthia Coats (m. Alvin Austin)
3.  Zilla Coats (m. Moore Stephenson)
4.  Amos Coats (m. Polly Mary Turlington;  Tabitha Turlington;  Emeline Utley Turlington)
5.  William Henry Coats (m. Martha Elizabeth Smith Penny;  Sarah Ferrell)
6.  Thomas Coats (m. Mary Obedience "Beddy" Stevens)
7.  Emily Catherine Coats (m. James Bartley Johnson)
8.  Penelope Coats
9.  John Rufus Coats (m. Nancy Elizabeth Byrd)