One of the Last Remaining Black World War II Veterans Turns 106 Years Old

Williams was born on September 30, 1919, to Thomas Williams and Henrietta Folks. In his early years, he worked at a turpentine plant before joining the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater, which refers to the vast area of military operations in the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding regions from 1941 to 1945.

In 2024, Williams received recognition from the Leon County Board of County Commissioners for his dedication to both the nation and his community. That same year, he joined other veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where he visited the World War II Memorial for the first time.

Williams has one daughter, Virginia Margaret Herring, along with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.