FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 1, 2022
CONTACT: Jordan Damron, [email protected]
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WEST VIRGINIA MEMORIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HERSHEL “WOODY” WILLIAMS, AMERICA’S LAST WWII MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
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Williams to Lie In State on Saturday & Sunday; Memorial Service to be held on Sunday and broadcast live on WV Public Broadcasting
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CHARLESTON, WV – All West Virginians are invited to honor and celebrate the distinguished life of America’s last World War II Medal of Honor recipient – West Virginia native Hershel “Woody” Williams – during memorial services this weekend, July 2-3, 2022.
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On Saturday, July 2, 2022, a procession will depart from Beard Mortuary in Huntington at 8:00 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.
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10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Public Viewing
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Williams will Lie In State at the Capitol Rotunda for a public viewing window, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at 6:00 p.m.
Parking:
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:
All attendees must enter the Capitol Building using the public West Wing entrance. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m.
Media note:
Media members/organizations that wish to cover Saturday’s public viewing are asked to email [email protected] indicating their desire to do so. There will be designated areas for media activities, including photography. Live shots, interviews, and otherwise disruptive behavior will not be permitted in the Capitol Rotunda area.
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10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Additional Public Viewing
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On Sunday, July 3, 2022, public visitation will continue at the Capitol Rotunda, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at 2:00 p.m.
Parking:
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:
All attendees must enter the Capitol Building using the public West Wing entrance. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m.
Media note:
Media members/organizations that wish to cover Sunday’s public viewing are asked to email [email protected] indicating their desire to do so. There will be designated areas for media activities, including photography. Live shots, interviews, and otherwise disruptive behavior will not be permitted in the Capitol Rotunda area.
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4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | State Memorial Service
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A State Memorial Service in Williams’ honor will be held inside the State Culture Center Theater at 4:00 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.
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 event via online livestream.
Media notes:
Due to limited space inside the State Theater, media members/organizations that wish to cover the memorial service in-person are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] before noon on Sunday.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting will make available a fully produced, multi-camera pool feed via satellite uplink and internet streaming for media outlets to broadcast live.
Galaxy 16 Transponder 07 Slot – C
Downlink Frequency 3844.5 horizontal
Bandwidth: 9 Mhz
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional scheduling updates will be provided as necessary. For additional questions regarding media logistics, please email [email protected].
A burial schedule is undetermined at this time. Burial services will be private for family only.
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ABOUT WOODY WILLIAMS
Woody Williams was born on a dairy farm in 1923 in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. During the battle, Mr. Williams displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective.” Mr. Williams’ actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism were recognized on October 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman at the White House.
To date, Woody and his foundation are responsible for establishing over 100 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in all 50 states and 1 U.S. Territory, with over 70 additional monuments currently underway. The nation’s first Gold Star monument was dedicated at the Donnel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Institute. Another such monument at the West Virginia State Capitol is the largest in America.
Learn more about Woody and his foundation at WoodyWilliams.org.
Williams died on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, surrounded by his family at the VA hospital near Huntington named in his honor. He was 98 years old.
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