Portion of Route 40 named Staff Sergeant Wesley Williams Memorial Highway in honor of fallen local soldier.

Local drivers will notice new signage along the National Road in Bethel Township, as The Patriot Guard Riders, along with Tecumseh’s JROTC and State Representative Kyle Koehler dedicated a portion of U.S. Route 40 to Tecumseh graduate Wesley Williams, who died in December of 2012 in Afghanistan’s Kandahar region.

The National Road from 571 to Lammes Lane will now be known as the Staff Sergeant Wesley Williams Memorial Highway, with Williams’ alma mater nestled directly in the middle of the route.

Gary Anderson of the Patriot Guard Riders said Williams met his wife Krista while enrolled in Tecumseh High School’s JROTC, and the couple married at Crossroad Baptist Church just across the street.

State Representative Kyle Koehler spoke at the dedication ceremony held Saturday morning at Tecumseh High School, saying although the memorial highway dedication was “a simple gesture,” he hoped that it would preserve Williams’ memory by encouraging passers-by to acknowledge his “unfaltering willingness to protect this great nation,” Koehler said.

Koehler thanked Williams’ family for Wesley’s service and noted their sacrifice, saying: “I’m honored and privileged to be here today to show my gratitude to the family for their service to our country...you’ve made sacrifices that I cannot fathom.”

Anderson, visibly affected during the dedication ceremony, said that despite the circumstance, The Patriot Guard Riders have been honored to be involved with the Williams family since Wesley’s death in 2012, when an improvised-explosive-device killed the 25 year-old in his third tour of duty. Anderson said Williams’ wife Krista flew to Delaware to receive her husband’s body on the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary, and The Patriot Guard Riders escorted the family from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base back to the funeral home in New Carlisle. The Patriot Guard Riders were also active in the dedication of the high school’s flag pole and memorial stone in William’s memory in December of 2013, on the first anniversary of Williams’ death. Anderson noted the poor weather in each instance, saying good-naturedly that Williams would not give his fellow riders a break with the elements. Saturday morning’s service proved to be no different, as cold rain and winds pummeled the riders and family members as they unveiled the new memorial sign.

Master Sergeant Antonio Ruiz of Tecumseh JROTC likened the steadfastness of the National Road to Williams’ service, saying Route 40 “is strong and straight, just as Wesley stood against our enemies.”

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