The officers of the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War included Butler attorney Andrew Gomer Williams, second from right.The Butler Post Office will be renamed to honor Williams, who attained the rank of Captain and was wounded four times during his service. Williams led his troops in a dozen battles and suffered a near fatal wound when he was shot in the head during the Battle of the Wilderness,

With the stroke of the presidential pen on Tuesday, the Butler Post Office will be renamed to honor a local Civil War officer, attorney and public servant.

President Joe Biden’s signature was the final step in the efforts of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, to have the post office at 345 S. Main St. named after Andrew Gomer Williams.

Williams was a Butler attorney and Civil War captain who led his men in more than a dozen battles.

He was wounded four times, and bore the reminder of a head wound via a deep and visible scar for his entire lifetime.

Bill May, a Butler historian, had previously researched Williams as a Civil War buff and neighbor of the home Williams built on North McKean Street.

Williams’ home, now owned by Jeff and Diane Smith, also is on May’s Historic Mansions of Butler tour each year.

“Our country tends to think of heroes as only those men who are sculpted in bronze and sit on top of pedestals,” May said on Wednesday. “Captain Williams, to me, exemplified that citizen soldier who goes off to war with no real reward and comes back home to rebuild his community and serve his town in a quiet way.”

May wrote a speech on Williams that Kelly had entered into the Congressional Record in June 2021.

When Kelly began his effort to have the Butler Post Office renamed to honor Williams, Kelly read May’s speech on the Floor of Congress to garner support.

“I was honored by that,” May said. “To have my words to have moved a congressman to feel Williams should be honored, it honored me.”

But May said his biggest thrill is that Captain Williams will be remembered.

“To see that men like Captain Williams are remembered, that’s my true reward,” May said, “but it obviously was a thrill to know my words were spoken in Congress.”

May is overjoyed that all the hurdles have been cleared in having the post office renamed for a Butler soldier, attorney and public servant.

“That is the type of hero I really like to bring to life,” he said.

Kelly said in a news release he has pleased, the post office will be renamed for the Civil War officer.

“I want to thank all of those who have supported and helped in this effort, including President Biden for his signature,” Kelly said. “Mr. Williams lived a life of service to his community and country, and I am proud to cement his legacy in our nation’s history.”

It is not yet known when the new name will be dedicated.