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Local tribute planned for Williams

A local tribute to Hershel “Woody” Williams is planned for this afternoon at one of the local monuments he and his foundation helped create.

People are invited to a moment of silence at 3 p.m. today at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Marietta’s Gold Star Park. It will be followed by a prayer, a wreath-laying, a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”

The last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Williams passed away Wednesday at the age of 98. The West Virginia native was a frequent presence in the Mid-Ohio Valley speaking at various events and supporting the establishment of monuments to Gold Star families, those who have lost a family member in military service, in Vienna, Marietta and Parkersburg.

During his online COVID-19 briefing Thursday, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said he is nominating Williams as the first inductee to the state’s Military Hall of Fame.

The governor praised Williams for his heroism in the war but also for his advocacy and service afterward.

“We’re going to call him our own forevermore, a West Virginia hero that really made all of us proud,” Justice said.

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