BECKLEY, W.Va. – A monumental statue commemorating Bill Withers was unveiled to the public on Friday.
Withers’ songs like ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘Just the Two of Us’ have reached the ears of many over the years. Now the statue serves as a reminder to those in Raleigh County that we can make it if we try.
“So many people helped us get this far. A lot of people gave money or gave us support in different ways. We’re just so grateful that we can now open Bill Withers Plaza and honor our local music legend,” said Jill Moorefield, director of Beckley events.
Withers was born in the Slab Fork area of Raleigh County and was raised in the City of Beckley. His statue comes in at 7 feet tall and has been years in the making.
The statue was designed by Frederick Hightower of Excellent Images Creations.
“It was a very good rendering, a very good resemblance to him. I think it captured his essence. He was a very serious guy but had a great sense of humor and wit. He was always telling jokes and smiled so that showed all of that,” said Marcia Withers, Bill Withers’ widow.
Marcia Withers made the trip all the way from Los Angeles for the occasion. She says Bill Withers was honored to know that younger people knew of his music and she wishes that the statue will inspire the younger generations.
“A hope from me is that younger people will be inspired by his legacy. The songs he wrote, the messages he conveyed in his songs. The emotion of them and the intelligence of somebody being able to write those kinds of stories in three minutes,” said Marcia Withers.
The Bill Withers Plaza also includes informational signs and musical playground instruments. Planned features for the plaza include benches and picnic tables.
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