06/30/2022
Today, America lost one of its bravest heroes and Veterans lost one of their staunchest advocates.
Through times of peace and times of war, Hershel “Woody” Williams dedicated his life to serving our country and its Veterans. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the Marines, deployed to the Pacific, and earned a Medal of Honor for his heroism and valor. When he came home from the war, he became a Veteran Service Representative at VA—serving his fellow Veterans for 33 years before retiring. And when he retired, he continued to advocate for Veterans by leading a foundation that serves Gold Star Families across America. Simply put, whenever the call to serve came, Woody answered and delivered.
The legacy that Woody leaves behind reaches across generations and across the nation. The VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia now bears his name, and his true legacy can be found in the countless lives that he touched over his 98 years. In one way or another during his amazing life, Woody Williams fought for all of us—and we are all forever in his debt.
We at VA mourn Woody Williams, and our hearts go out to his family and all those who loved him.
— Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs