Woody Williams The Last Surviving World War Ii Medalist Has Died At The Age Of 98.

Born on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia in 1923, Williams served for 20 years in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps, according to the foundation. In the early days of World War II, Williams delivered telegrams informing Gold Star families that their loved one had died, according to the foundation’s website – an experience Williams said helped him appreciate life and better understand ” difference of death in the normal world. expected in life and those who perished while serving in the army for their country “. After the war, Williams worked for 33 years in the Veterans Affairs Department. He also set up the Woody Williams Foundation to support and advocate for Gold Star Families after his tenure as a Marine, according to the foundation’s website. The Williams family shared that “Woody’s desire is for people to continue to carry out his mission,” according to the foundation. The governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, proposed a funeral in the State in honor of Williams, as well as to place his body in the state in the Capitol of West Virginia. “While the burden of this loss is great, we will all be able to take comfort in the fact that Woody’s contributions to our nation have inspired generations, cultivated similar bravery and saved lives,” Justice wrote. “Woody Williams will go down in history as one of the greatest West Virginia people who have ever lived, and we salute him for all he has done for our state and our nation.” Justice will also sign a state-wide proclamation to lower all West Virginia and U.S. flags in half in honor of Williams. The National Museum of World War II said it was mourning the loss of the 98-year-old. “As Williams and the last members of the generation of World War II go through, we are reminded of our critical responsibility to keep their stories alive for future generations,” they said in a Facebook post. Details of the memorial and funeral have not yet been announced.