BECKLEY, W.Va. – A music legend from West Virginia is being honored in a big way.
From “Lean on Me” to “Ain’t No Sunshine”, Bill Withers’ music has touched generations.
Now, the Beckley community is making sure his legacy lives on with a permanent tribute.
On Friday, March 28th, a seven plus-foot-tall statue of Withers will be unveiled at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, marking the grand opening of the Bill Withers Plaza.
Jill Moorefield, the director of Beckley Events says this statue was long in the making.
She says, “We’re just so proud of him from being from this area and we want to celebrate and honor him, as well as this can be a new attraction for our community and maybe inspire our youth to know they can do something big too.”
Students and staff from Beckley-Stratton Middle School will get a glimpse of Wither’s inspiration, as they will be singing Lean on Me during the unveiling.
Designed by artist Frederick Hightower, the statue will stand as a centerpiece of the plaza, which will also include interpretive signs and musical playground instruments.
Moorefield also hopes this statue and plaza will not only boost the Beckley community but also the West Virginia community.
She says, “I hope the community will get a lot of community pride, that they’ll be proud that Bill was from our area and celebrate all the music he brought to the world, and he’s known internationally. We hope that young people will be inspired to seek their dreams and go for it.”
In the near future, other plaza features such as benches, picnic tables, and public art will be added. The committee is grateful to everyone who contributed to the project.
The revealment of that statue will take place this Friday, March 28th from noon to 1pm at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway’s Bill Withers Plaza in downtown Beckley.
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