Joseph Williams, World War II Navy Veteran, Celebrates His 106th Birthday
Joseph Williams, one of the nation’s last living Black World War II veterans, has reached a remarkable milestone — his 106th birthday. Born on September 30, 1919, in Tallahassee, Florida, Williams’s life has spanned more than a century of American history, marked by courage, service, and resilience.
Before enlisting in the Navy, Williams worked at a turpentine plant, one of the few available jobs for Black men in the segregated South. When the war began, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater, the region encompassing World War II’s battles across the Pacific Ocean from 1941 to 1945.
Life After the War
When he returned home, Williams attended Old Lincoln School in Tallahassee, where he earned a certification in interior decoration. He went on to work as a house painter well into his seventies, known for his meticulous craft and dedication to his clients.
Outside of work, Williams joined Masonic Lodge No. 259 and volunteered as a firefighter. Neighbors in Wakulla County fondly recall his steady presence and generosity — a man always willing to lend a hand, fix a roof, or paint a church wall without expecting recognition.
Honors and Legacy
In 2024, Williams received an official commendation from the Leon County Board of County Commissioners for his lifelong service to both his country and his community. That same year, he participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where he visited the World War II Memorial for the first time — a long overdue moment of acknowledgment for his role in one of history’s defining conflicts.
Williams is the proud patriarch of a large family that includes his daughter, Virginia Margaret Herring, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
“Celebrating my Granddad’s 106th birthday is beyond a blessing,” said his granddaughter, Angela Hilliard. “To see him reach this incredible milestone, after all he has given to his country and his community, is something most families never get to experience. We are so grateful.”
