Gov. Jim Justice today ordered all United States and West Virginia flags displayed at the Capitol complex in Charleston and all state facilities throughout Wood County be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sundown on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, in honor of funeral services for West Virginia National Guard SSG William "Billy" Friese.

Friese passed away in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, from a non-combat related incident on July 18, 2019, while serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Friese, a resident of Parkersburg and a native West Virginian, was the recipient of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, West Virginia Emergency Service Ribbon, West Virginia State Service Ribbon, and numerous other awards and decorations.