Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams is a native West Virginian and has lived in Huntington since 1957. He received the United States' highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in World War II.
Williams continued to serve the veterans of the area through his work with the Veterans Administration. The State of West Virginia awarded him the "West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal" for his outstanding community service. In recognition of his service to the state and the nation, the National Guard Armory in Fairmont, West Virginia, was named "Woody Williams Armory," a bridge in Barboursville was named "Woody Williams Bridge," and an athletic field in Huntington was named "Woody Williams Field.”
Williams served as chaplain for the Medal of Honor Society for 25 years, served as the Dale Carnegie Instructor for Public Speaking and Human Relations, is active in veterans programs for the youth and is an active lay minister and Sunday school teacher in his church.
He, along with other citizens, formed the Huntington Mounted Police Unit and served as chairman of the Mounted Patrol Commission. Williams' life-long philosophy has been, "the greatest satisfaction in life one can receive comes from serving the country, community and one's fellow citizens."
