William Preston Wooten, known as “Woob” while a cadet, came from LaGrange, North Carolina. He was born there on 14 February 1873 and graduated from the University of North Carolina, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1893, prior to his admission to West Point. Standing 3rd in the class academically, “Wiley” was a cadet lieutenant and played center on the football team. 

As an Engineer, Lieutenant Wiley served in the Philippine Insurrection. He subsequently managed the building of the Washington City filtration plant, taught at West Point and was District Engineer in both Dallas and Honolulu. He also commanded the Engineer School.

With the outbreak of war in Europe, Wooten commanded the 14th Engineer Regiment. He then became the Engineer of the III U.S. Army Corps and took part in the march to the Rhine. As Chief Engineer of the Army of Occupation, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George by the British.

Following the war, Wooten worked jointly with Canadian engineers on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway project and graduated from and taught at the Army War College.

Until he retired, Brigadier General Wooten worked on engineering projects around the country. His final assignment was to the office of the Assistant Secretary of War, where he served as the Director of the Army Industrial College. In retirement Wooten was active in a number of engineering societies and military organizations. General Wooten died on 12 December 1950. He was 77 years old.

WOOTEN, C/O WM P
DATE OF DEATH: 06/17/1905
DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
BURIED AT: SECTION FT MY  SITE 53
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  UNKNOWN RELATIONSHIP TO VETERAN - CAPT ENGRS CORPT USA

William P. Wooten, USMA Class of 1898
Courtesy of the United States Military Academy

General Wooren was born in 1873 and died in 1950. He was buried in Section 15 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Katherine Clay Wooten (1875-1962) is buried with him.  His son, Sidney Clay Wooten, Major General, United States Army (1907-2003) is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.