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PARKERSBURG -- William E. "Billy" Friese, 30, of Rockport, finally arrived home Tuesday morning after his passing while on active duty with the U.S. Army at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on July 18.
Friese was killed in a non-combat incident in Kuwait, state and federal officials said. He reached the rank of staff sergeant during his 12 years of service and was deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to serve as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 821st Engineer Company.
"It was an honor to pay our respect to Sgt. William Friese and his family, and we were humbled to assist in bringing him home," said Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens, who was among the many that arrived at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Tuesday morning to escort Friese to Sunset Memory Gardens.
Stephens said there was an amazing display of community support shown at the procession.
"There were people of all ages and from all walks of life standing along the roadway at numerous locations throughout the route paying their respect to Sgt. Friese," Stephens said.
Among those escorting Friese were sheriff's deputies, state troopers, members of the Parkersburg, Vienna and Waverly fire departments and over 100 Patriot Riders. A Color Guard from Charleston escorted the body from the airplane to the hearse.
"At one point on the interstate, the procession line was one-mile long," Stephens said.
People along the route saluted and waved U.S. flags as the procession passed, Stephens said.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at South Parkersburg Baptist Church, 1655 Blizzard Drive, with Ed Rogers officiating. The burial with Military Honors will follow the service at Sunset Memory Gardens, Parkersburg.
Friese's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Star Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, West Virginia National Guard Emergency Services Ribbon with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, West Virginia National Guard State Service Ribbon with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the West Virginia National Guard Service Ribbon.
Friese joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2008 with assignment to the 111th Engineer Brigade. Friese was previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 with the 1092nd Engineer Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com