FLORIDA, USA — Florida World War II veteran Joseph Williams is celebrating a remarkable milestone this week, turning 106 years young and reflecting on a century of service, sacrifice and resilience.

Williams, one of the Sunshine State’s oldest WWII veterans, turned 106 Tuesday, according to a release from Steele Communications. He celebrated his birthday surrounded by family, friends, elected officials and more community members this past Saturday, Sept. 27, in Tallahassee.

According to the release, Williams was born on Sept. 30, 1919 to Thomas Williams and Henrietta Folks. In his early years, he worked at a turpentine plant before joining the U.S. Navy as a first-class private stationed in Jacksonville. During WWII, he served in the Pacific theater — an area in the Pacific Ocean where most of the fighting took place.

After the war, the release says Williams attended Old Lincoln School in Tallahassee and earned a certification in interior decoration.

Later, Williams worked as a house painter “well into his 70s” and was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 259 in Chaires, Fla., according to the release. He also volunteered as a firefighter and was known throughout Wakulla County for his generosity and service to neighbors in need, the release states.

In 2024, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners honored Williams for his dedication to the nation and community. The same year, he joined fellow veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where he visited the World War II Memorial for the first time, according to the release.

Williams has one daughter, Virginia Margaret Herring, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, according to the release. His son-in-law, Morris Herring, shares the same birthday as him.

“Celebrating my Granddad’s 106th birthday is beyond a blessing,” Williams’ granddaughter Angela Hilliard said in the release. “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.”