Hershel “Woody” Williams Story Archives - Page 2 of 5

Woody Williams 'Lie In Honor' Schedule Finalized

On Thursday, Hershel “Woody” Williams will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol. There will also be a wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

The ceremonial arrival for Williams’ casket will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by remarks from Congressional leadership and wreath presentations by Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito and the House, Senate, and Executive Branch from 11 a.m. until noon in the rotunda.

You can view the proceedings from the U.S. Capitol Rotunda live online at: https://youtu.be/7-o-fKZbZcw

The public viewing period will last from noon until 3 p.m. West Virginians interested in attending should contact Sen. Joe Manchin’s staff at rsvp@manchin.senate.gov, or call 202-224-3954.

Williams’ remains will depart at 3:30 p.m. from the Capitol. Afterward, there will be a public wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial.

You can view it live online from the World War II Memorial at: https://youtu.be/f6yscn5Kbkw

Architect Who Worked With Woody Williams: 'He Had It In His Own Mind'

Woody Williams, who died on June 29 in Huntington, wanted to build a place in honor of veterans and their families. A place where they can gather and celebrate, protected from the elements.

Michael Mills can’t forget the day he met Woody Williams.

The 97-year-old Medal of Honor recipient drove himself to the Kinnard National Cemetery in Dunbar. He gave Mills a firm handshake. They walked the grounds together and talked about what Williams wanted to do.

Williams, who died on June 29 in Huntington, wanted to build a place in honor of veterans and their families. A place where they can gather and celebrate, protected from the elements.

Mills, the principal manager of the Mills Group, said Williams had a clear idea of what the project should look like. Williams produced a sketch Mills used as the basis of the architectural drawings.

“And he had such energy and vigor in his vision,” Mills said. “He knew exactly what this architecture could serve and had a basic concept of the shape and formality of the spatial arrangements. He had it in his own mind.”

Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, became known for building more than 100 memorials for Gold Star Families – those who lost a loved one in service to the country.

In his final days, Williams wanted to make sure the shelter was built. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s state director, a veteran herself, originally asked Mills and Lance Muscara, Senior Project Manager, to work with Williams on the project.

“Mara Boggs in Senator Manchin’s office kind of connected the dots with us,” Mills said. “She’s a personal friend of Lance and mine, and said she has this amazing friend that has a vision, and said would we help conceptualize the vision? And once we knew who the friend was, well, no doubt, we would be honored to help.”

Mills added that Williams didn’t want the project to be about his legacy. Instead, he wanted it for the veterans and their families.

Manchin: Woody Williams Will Lie In State In U.S. Capitol

During the memorial services for Hershel “Woody” Williams, Sen. Joe Manchin announced that he received a call at 11 a.m. Sunday confirming that Williams will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. This honor is typically reserved for presidents and dignitaries.

According to Manchin, Williams himself had suggested that when the last Medal Of Honor recipient from World War Two died, that veteran should receive the honor to represent the other 470 medal recipients from the war. Williams suggested the honor without realizing he would be that veteran.

Williams received the Medal Of Honor for his actions during the battle of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945. With the support of four riflemen, Williams destroyed seven enemy pillboxes using a flamethrower.

Manchin said the final details of when Williams will lie in state at the capitol are still being worked out with the family but would be determined in the coming days. He did suggest it will likely be in the second week of July.

According to the archives of the U.S. House of Representatives, “Since Henry Clay in 1852, the U.S. Capitol has been used as a place to pay tribute to the nation’s most distinguished citizens. Made available for public viewing in the Capitol, persons who have “lain in state” traditionally have been American officials, judges, and military leaders, including 12 U.S. Presidents. In 1998, to recognize two Capitol Police officers who died in the line of duty, Congress granted use of the rotunda for their caskets to “lie in honor.” In 2020, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in state in the National Statuary Hall.”

Woody Williams Lies-In-State At Capitol Rotunda; Admiring Public Pays Respects

A celebration of an American hero’s life took place this holiday weekend, as the body of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams would lie in state at the Capitol rotunda.

Charleston’s Cathy Ellison came to pay her respects. Ellison is with the US Naval Sea Cadets, a community service youth organization for young men and women ages 10-17.

“They go to boot camp, just like regular soldiers,” Ellison said. “They earn rank. And if they’re successful in the program, which 90 percent of them are, when they choose to join the military…if they do so, then they go in at a higher pay rank.”

Ellison’s sea cadets outfit is the Hershel “Woody” Williams Division.

“We reached out to him and said, ‘Would you like to partner with us,’” Ellison said. “I have a lovely picture of him just this June, rolling up the banner. It was wonderful. And he was extremely happy and excited.”

Ellison said the legacy her division’s namesake leaves is literally and figuratively monumental.

“Not just from the monuments he puts up but the scholarships that he provides the things that his foundation does,” Ellison said. “There was only one Woody, there will ever only be one Woody and anybody who had the honor to meet him and know him was touched.”

Community service was embedded in every fiber of Williams’ being.

As his body lay in state, his American flag draped casket had a red carpet in front of it, but there was also an open space in the viewing area and a few short rows of chairs. The atmosphere was both respectful and casual – people from all walks of life telling stories, meeting old and new friends, reflecting and remembering. People like Deanna Wayt from Moundsville, a member of the Moundsville Veterans Honor Guard.

”It was very nice to meet his grandchildren,” Wayt said. “They were very personable and appreciative of all who came out. You can tell he made a good family. My father served on the honor guard for over 10 years before he passed away. He was good friends with Woody Williams and along with a lot of the members of the honor guard, they knew him well.”

Allan Miller retired from the Marine Corps after 21 years of active duty. Miller came from Bruceton Mills to say “Oorah,” marine slang for farewell, to a fallen brother.

“It’s important to pay respects to what Williams did, a Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima, and he’s a great, great person,” Miller said. “I met him a few years ago at a Marine Corps league function. He was a good man, a generous individual.”

A United States Marine Honor Guard stood watch 24/7, even when there was no public or private viewing. The humble icon’s fellow marines were stationed – at attention – at the head and foot of Woody Williams casket.

Williams Asked Manchin To Push For Shelter At Veterans Cemetery

Williams, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died on Wednesday.

Woody Williams made a final request to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday.

Williams, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died on Wednesday.

But days before, he asked Manchin to move forward with plans to build a shelter at the Kinnard national veterans cemetery in Dunbar.

The shelter would provide a comfortable place for families of veterans buried there to gather.

Williams told Manchin he wanted the shelter to be built. He even provided his own drawing.

“To be left with that kind of instruction on Sunday is amazing,” Manchin said. “And he was just as sharp as a tack.”

Williams, who was 98, built more than 100 memorials nationwide to Gold Star Families – those who lost loved ones in service to the country.

Manchin is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Memorial Schedule For Woody Williams

Hershel “Woody” Williams will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 2 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3. A State Memorial Service in Williams’ honor will be held inside the State Culture Center Theater at 4 p.m. Sunday. A live stream will be available for Sunday's event.

The memorial services scheduled this weekend to honor America’s last World War II Medal of Honor recipient and West Virginia native Hershel “Woody” Williams have been announced.

SATURDAY

8 a.m. Procession

A procession will depart from Beard Mortuary in Huntington at 8 a.m. The procession route will follow Route 60 through Ona and Milton before getting on I-64 at Exit 28.

The procession will remain on I-64 until Exit 99, turning right onto Greenbrier Street, before turning left onto Kanawha Boulevard and entering the State Capitol from the south side of the Complex.

Upon arrival, the casket will be carried into the State Capitol Building and positioned in the Lower Capitol Rotunda.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Public Viewing

Williams will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda for a public viewing.

SUNDAY

Additional Public Viewing 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Public visitation will continue at the Capitol Rotunda.

State Memorial Service 4 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

A State Memorial Service in Williams’ honor will be held inside the State Culture Center Theater at 4 p.m. The service will include several tributes which will be announced closer to the service.

Seating

Public seating inside the State Culture Center Theater will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be very limited seating inside the theater.

Additional overflow seating will be available both inside and outside the Culture Center with video and audio provided.

Parking (for both Saturday and Sunday)

Parking for guests will be provided.

Lots around the Capitol Complex will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The public employee parking garage off Greenbrier Street and the Laidley Field parking lot will also be open to the public.

Free shuttle services will be offered all day within the service area. Designated handicap parking spaces will also be available at the lot beside the State Culture Center.

Public Entrance (for both Saturday and Sunday)

All attendees must enter the Capitol Building using the public west wing entrance.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

How To Watch

The service will be broadcast on television via the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Channel. Find your station here (Use column labeled “WVPB”).

West Virginians may also watch the State Memorial Service on Sunday via online live stream.

A burial schedule is undetermined at this time. Burial services will be private for family only.