WWII Veteran, Sgt. Hoyt Williams honored with Quilt of Valor

The most recent recipent of the Quilt of Valor was US Army, WWII, Tech Sgt. James Hoyt Williams. A small group of family, friends and co-workers of Mr. Hoyt’s gathered in the lounge at Wal-Mart for the surprise ceremony.

Members of the Quilting group of North Georgia, along with Barbara Reece helped coordinate the ceremony.

Members of the North Georgia Quilt of Valor Sew Group include Dee Allen, Odell Anderson, Mary Baggett, Willene Davis, Carol Ferguson, Brenda Park, June Park, Sandra Peppers, Avis Snow, Brenda Teems, and Lisa Wilder.

“Sgt. Williams served from 1943-1945. He served as part of an engineering company attached to the 1st Army Headquarters Division. He served tours in the European theater, he served in England, France, Belgium, Germany and other tours. After these tours he was sent to the Pacific side, he was sent to the Philippine Islands,” Odell Anderson said.

Hoyt Williams is one of the few remaining World War II veterans from Chattooga County. He graduated Trion High School in 1942, and joined the Army to serve in World War II, arriving in Normandy D-Day+18. Sgt. Williams served as an Army engineer in both the European and South Pacific Campaigns of World War II, serving in both campaigns is rare.

Despite half a century of time to soften the pain, when Sgt. Williams talks about the Nazis, the passion and emotion are as raw as the days he experienced them. He fought through France, Belgium and finished his European mission in Germany. Sgt. Williams  spent Christmas of 1944 in the Ardennes forest at the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign of the war. The remainder of the War Sgt. Williams was stationed in the Philippines, where he remained until Japan surrendered in September of 1945.

Brenda Park explained the signifance of a Quilt of Valor, “each quilt is made of three layers and each layer has own special meaning:

• The top with its many colors, shapes and fabrics represents the communities and the many individuals we are.
• The batting, the filler, is the center of the quilt, its warmth. It represents our hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual who receives it.
• The backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the support of his or her family, our communities, and our nation.
• Each stitch that holds the layers together represents love, gratitude, and sometimes the tears of the maker.

Each quilt also represents a three-part message from the givers to those receiving:

• First, we HONOR you for your service. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear and to stand in harm’s way in a time of crisis, protecting us from the effects of war.
• Next, we know that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. The cost of freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you, and this quilt is meant to say thank you for your sacrifice.
• And finally, this quilt is meant to offer COMFORT to you, and to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in our thoughts and our hearts.”

At age 94, Hoyt Williams still works full time at WalMart in Trion, Georgia. He has been employed with Walmart for 25 years.