William led quite a colorful life, to say the least. He was born Jahu/Jahugh Chastine Kuykendall, the son of Joseph Harden Kuykendall and Rebecca (Waldrop) Kuykendall. He later added "William" because he didn't like "Jahu".

He was the great-grandson of two Revolutionary War heroes: Abraham Kuykendall and Frederick Hambright. He was the brother of Sarah, Jesse Isaac, Jacob, Ezekial (executed by the Confederacy 14Feb1865), George W, Thomas Massengill, William Alfred, John Allen, and Margaret. To quote his brother, Thomas, Jahu was the "wild boy of the flock".

He enlisted into the 16th NC Infantry in 1862. During the Seven Day's Battle, his brother Alfred was wounded on 26 Jun 1862 at Beaver Dam Creek, and the next day Jahu was wounded at Gaines Mill, and had to recover at the hospital in Richmond.

They participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain and Second Bull Run. During the summer of 1863, both Alfred and Jahu were listed as deserters, and recruited into the 2nd NC Mounted Infantry (Union). Several of his other brothers also fought on both sides, with the exception of John Allen Kuykendall, who remained in the Confederate Army until the end of the war. This family's Civil War experiences truly illustrated the phrase: "brother against brother".

Jahu moved to Tennessee soon after the war leaving behind (in NC) an infant daughter, Rebecca, and her mother, Sarah.

In 1875, in Tennessee, he married Susan Caroline Mathis.

Susan and William Jahu had the following children: Olivia Jane (Kuykendall) Wall, Isaac F Kuykendall, Simon P Kuykendall, Martin L Kuykendall, Luella Kuykendall, Connie E Kuykendall, Thomas J Kuykendall, Roly King Kuykendall, Harvey D Kuykendall, and Harry Hobson Kuykendall.

William Jahu is buried at the Judd Church Cemetery on Holladay Road, Cookeville (Church building no longer standing).

Sons Isaac and Harvey are buried next to their parents. Also, Jahu and Susan's son-in-law, Sterling H Wall is buried at their feet.