WVU’s West Virginia Day event to focus on life and legacy of Woody Williams

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University will host a unique celebration of Mountain State World War II veterans in honor of West Virginia Day.

The WVU Downtown Library will host a presentation Friday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. that will feature Bryan Casey, the grandson of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams.

Casey will speak at the Robinson Reading Room of the Downtown Library, where he will discuss the life and legacy of the West Virginia war hero. Director of the West Virginia & Regional History Center Lori Hostutler encouraged anyone with an interest in Mountain State and military history to stop into the library for this free event.

“The public program is going to be Bryan Casey, who is the grandson of Medal of Honor winner Woody Williams, then at about 2:45 or so we’ll invite everyone to come up to the West Virginia Regional History Center,” said Hostutler. “So they can see our exhibit that we’ve been installing in our gallery.”

During the speaking engagement, Casey will tell stories of Williams’ experience both within the Mountain State and abroad.

A native of Marion County, Williams served in the United States Marine Corps in three separate tours that began in 1943 and continued until 1969. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima and a Purple Heart and continued to serve in a reserve capacity until he honorably retired. Williams spent the majority of his life in the Mountain State, including time served as the commanding officer of the Marine Corps Reserve 25th Infantry Company based out of Huntington.

Williams died three years ago this month at the age of 98.

Casey will detail nearly all aspects of his grandfather’s life, Hostutler said.

“He’s going to talk about Woody’s life and legacy, also a little bit about the Woody Williams Foundation and the good work that they do with Gold Star families,” said Hostutler.

Once the meeting concludes, attendees will get a chance to be one of the first viewers of the new “West Virginians in World War II: In Their Own Words” exhibit that will be showcased at the History Center until May 2026. The showcase will include authentic pieces of military equipment, personal pieces of memorabilia that survived combat, and even authentic letters sent by family members of soldiers regarding missing loved ones that never returned home. The exhibit will be free to observe for anyone who wishes to check it out after Casey speaks.

“The exhibit features the stories of 20 to 30 West Virginians who served in World War II representing different aspects of service, both in combat and in support roles, and on the home front as well,” Hostutler said.

Both the speaking engagement with Casey and the showcase of the West Virginians in World War II exhibit will be free to attend through registration on the WVU Libraries website. Light refreshments will also be served after the engagement, as well as a birthday cake to celebrate the 162nd birthday of the Mountain State. For those who wish to learn about modern West Virginia military history, Hostutler hopes that you can stop by the WVU Downtown Library.

“I encourage any teachers, or actually any residents, or anyone that’s interested to get in touch with us and we can see how we can work with them and share the exhibit with them,” she said.