Bill Womack, a Midland native who served in World War II, became a centenarian last week as a Commemorative Air Force fly over celebrated his birthday and service to his country.
Born in 1921 in Fort Worth, Texas Womack told NewsWest 9 he’s just getting started.
"When you reach 100, things get even better,” Womack said.
He added that turning 100 just means he’s ready to go and that he’s starting over, encouraging anyone listening to not give up.
His secret?
"Don't smoke and don't drink ...," Womack said. "Be faithful to your country, your god and your family."
Womack was one of the first to discover and free Jewish prisoners from German Nazi concentration camps during his years of service with the Texas Liberators.
“It was not fun and I haven’t forgotten the bad part,” Womack said. “I owed it to my country to do the best I can to protect them, and that’s what I did.”
Womack was one of 488 Texas Liberators fighting to save lives during the war. He joined the National Guard after graduating from high school, initially attracted to the $10 a month pay.
Womack told NewsWest he was able to overcome the emotional wounds through his religion, his wife and his children.
He became an artilleryman shortly after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. He said he survived the days not by looking at the past, but by believing in the future.
"God, he was watching over me every minute," Womack said. "I don't go to church every day, but I think about him every day.“