Woody Williams to be remembered with statue at US Capitol

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — One of West Virginia’s most decorated and revered figures will be immortalized in the nation’s capital.

On Tuesday, the West Virginia legislature passed a resolution to commemorate Hershel “Woody” Williams with a statue in Washington D.C. at the National Statuary Hall.

Each state is allowed two statues in the hall. For West Virginia, those are Francis Pierpont, one of the state’s co-founders, and former U.S. Senator John Kenna, also the namesake of the Jackson County town of Kenna.

Williams will replace the statue of Kenna.

Born in Quiet Dell in Marion County, Williams made a name for himself in the Mountain State by serving his country. In 1945 he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He also established the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Program, a nationwide initiative to honor fallen veterans and their families.

Brent Casey, one of Williams’ grandchildren, says there was nobody more deserving of such an honor, or more humble.

“So proud. To know what kind of person he was, the kind of person he raised us to be, his daughters, grandsons, and great-grandsons,” Casey said.

Casey said he and his family can hardly contain their excitement about seeing their beloved Woody again soon.

“What are they gonna use? Are they gonna use him in a World War II uniform? A 21-year-old who just received the Medal of Honor? All of those questions are in my head. Any of them will be perfectly fine with us,” Casey said.

Captain James McCormick was a dear friend of Williams and said he is deserving of this honor because he embodied what it means to be a West Virginian.

“We need to put away our petty grievances and differences, and try to live like Woody Williams and set that example,” McCormick said. “By that statue being in that hallway, that sets an example. Not just for Woody. Not just for veterans. But for West Virginia. It makes us a great state.”

Williams passed away in June 2022 . He was 98 years old.

Governor Jim Justice is expected to form a commission to gather funds for the project, as well as find an artist to build the statue. Senator Kenna’s statue will be relocated to the Cultural Center in Charleston.

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