IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Susan Lieberman Story by

MELBA

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

"Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable, and safe in a confusing world."

MURPHY

Bill, Keri, Robert, Andrew, William Headley at Robert’s Eagle Scout induction ceremony.

For the Bill Headley family, family tradition means three generations of Eagle Scouts and more than 70 combined years of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Robert Headley, Bill's youngest son, was the latest Headley to earn the title of Eagle Scout, but he's following a long-standing family tradition.

"I've drawn on my scouting experiences, even as an adult. And I wanted my sons to have that opportunity." – Bill Headley, Jr.

Bill's father, William V. "Big Bill" Headley, Sr., age 85, became an Eagle Scout in 1950; Bill, Jr. in 1980; and sons followed the family tradition, eldest son William in 2014; middle son Andrew in 2018, and youngest Robert in 2020. Each of these men found adventure, fun, character, confidence, leadership development, and family unity and direction within the Boy Scouts of America. Not to be left out, Bill's wife Keri Headley served as a den mother for two younger sons, enjoyed scout-related family trips and the intangible rewards of scout training that enriched her sons' lives and character.

Dr. William "Bill" V. Headley, Jr., owner of Headley Family Medicine, is a native of Newnan, Georgia and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and the Medical College of Georgia in 1999. He served as a flight officer in the U.S. Navy from 1984 through 1994. Before scouting reached the third generation, it was already a family affair with Bill's father, "Big Bill." Bill's brothers Mitchell, Matthew, and Luke, four first cousins, and a great uncle all achieved the status of Eagle Scout. The family patriarch did not mandate participation in Boy Scouts, but as Bill says, "it was a self-imposed obligation to follow in Dad's steps." Bill, Jr. became a Boy Scout at age 12 and an Eagle Scout in 1980. Musing on his own sons following in the family tradition, he adds that, "I've drawn on my scouting experiences, even as an adult. And I wanted my sons to have that opportunity."

Keri Headley, who married Bill in 1991 and works with him in their medical practice, attests to the socialization skills which reinforce family and church guidance and training. "Scouting has been a favorite activity for me that has led our family on trips and other adventures, applying learned skills and principles of good citizenship and teambuilding in our family setting." Early application of scout training came when William, at age 8, came home to announce that he had just seen the non-poisonous king snake, a doppelganger to the very poisonous coral snake. "How did you know it wasn't the deadly snake?" asked his parents. With confidence, William replied, "Red touches yellow, kills a

ABOVE: At the Eagle Scout ceremony, each son presented a Eagle Mom pin and an Eagle Dad Pin to their parents. Bill, Jr. also got two mentor pins, as did one of the boys' uncles.

fellow," a mnemonic device that he learned in Cub Scouts to differentiate between the two kinds of snakes.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell (18471941), originator of the worldwide Scout movement, referred to scouting as a "game with a purpose." Part of the game was life in the outdoors, where Baden-Powell found a place to apply his belief that "An invaluable step in character training is putting responsibility on the individual."

Translated into the Headley home, this meant planning, preparing, and executing a 17-mile canoe trip, a camping trip in Shenandoah, West Virginia, or even something as simple as establishing a family home evacuation plan or family first aid kit. It was in 2017 on the family trip in West Virginia where Keri says, "I first got to see all three boys efficiently and independently putting their

ABOVE: A display of Robert’s scouting experiences through the years provided a glimpse of the energy and passion it takes to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

LEFT: Robert credits friends, as well as his parents and brothers, such as, Nick Ellis, Ki Riddle, and Mac Cooper for their unselfish commitment to his goal. (Mark Ogden, Mac Cooper, Nick Ellis, Robert Headley, Ki Riddle, Wade Johnson)

learned skills into action… pitching a solid tent, building an effective fire, and locating water. It was really cool to see."

The Boy Scout Organization presents a series of achievable hurdles and pathways to overcome them through the advancement method. Each of the Headleys moved through Scout's ranks (formerly Cub Scout), Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and then Eagle Scout. The acquisition of the rank of Eagle Scout is not simply the next logical step for the 2.3 million Boy Scouts of today. Since its beginning in 1911, only four percent of Scouts earned the rank of Eagle. The extended Headley family is now in the company of President Gerald R. Ford, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Film Director Steven Spielberg, four Nobel Prize laureates, 11 Medal of Honor recipients, 40 astronauts, and many members of Congress, past and present.

The present lives, interests, and even occupational goals of the three Headley sons reflect the influence of the merit badges, a primary achievement and motivation, but also the acquired intrinsic traits of self-reliance, confidence, self-esteem, service, and good citizenship.

The eldest son, William Headley, age 24, is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He draws a correlation between his degree and the skill of fire building, where he focused on the intricacies of starting with something small and constructing the overlays with precision. William reflects that, "Engineering is a lot like that. Nothing happens at once, and it takes attention to small details and small, incremental steps to achieve your ultimate goal." Like his brothers, his swimming merit badge developed an interest that led to membership on the high school swimteam. His Personal Finance merit badge led to a current passion, the stock market. "When we were

Three generations of Headley Eagle Scouts: Grandfather "Big Bill" Headley Sr. , his four sons, Luke, Mitch, Bill Jr. (left) and Matt (far right), and three grandsons, Robert, Andrew, and William.

about 12, a CPA came in and gave us lessons which I only later drew upon," says William. His interests in flying and scuba diving he also attributes to the exposure to nature found in scouting.

Middle son Andrew professes that he genuinely appreciated the impact of scouting looking backward after becoming an Eagle Scout. "When you're achieving a rank, it is hard to enjoy and appreciate the moment," he says. "Now, I have had time to reflect on who I am and the true intentions of scouting and my parents' and grandparents' belief in the program." His Fishing merit badge was one example of the continued influence and development of a skill you learn. "I love the outdoors, and while anyone in these parts can throw a line in a river or pond, I took my Dad's BSA fishing manual and studied with him the mechanics of catching, cleaning, and cooking fish."

Andrew found implementation of learned boy scout skills in another

way. Part of advancement to Eagle Scout is a one-year service in a leadership position. Andrew served as Quartermaster, the troop's supply boss, which includes inventorying and managing equipment and food supplies. Later, Andrew would use these skills when he served as his college fraternity Tailgate Chair. Asked about his own use of Boy Scout skills, "Dr." Bill smiles as he answers, "Well, one of my badges was First Aid and I later became a First Aid Instructor. That background, and not a degree in electrical engineering, led me to my present occupation."

Andrew and younger brother Robert agreed that a scouting trip to New Mexico in 2017 was a highlight of their Boy Scout Experience. On a 14-day trip, they hiked more than 120 brutal miles where the elevation went from 6,000 to 12,00 feet. "Robert and I, in a group of 8, were the only non-Eagle Scouts. And yet, he and I were the only ones who knew how to do stuff." Andrew credits Scoutmaster Bob Nash for "pushing us to really achieve and master our skills, and

The Headley family's collective experiences in Boy Scouts have given them a unity, purpose, focus, and family tradition that many families struggle to find.

Robert, along with his brothers, were involved in scouting through their entire boyhood. Keri (back row, right) was involved and served as Den Mother for Andrew and Robert but was supportive and involved in all of their scouting activities. Three of the scouts in this photo were at Robert’s induction ceremony (Mark Ogden, Ki Riddle, Wade Johnson). not just checking us off". Youngest brother Robert, 18, enthusiastically echoes the sentiment of his older brothers when it comes to the immense knowledge and personal growth which scouting afforded him. A self-professed "shy kid," he attributes scouting, working in small, supportive groups, and taking on responsibilities as a patrol leader or chaplain with giving him confidence, leadership skills, and abilities to communicate and deal with people. Armed with these traits, he went on to participate in high school student council, Chairman of the Junior Bank, Student Body Treasurer, and Captain of the Swim Team. Working with City Manager Mike Deal, Robert developed and implemented a plan to clean up the Milikin Greenway Nature Trail as part of his community service requirement for Eagle Scout. Mastery of this project required that Robert operated in a position of leadership and influence, getting others to participate in the project. He credits his parents and brothers, Nick Ellis, and friends Ki Riddle and Mac Cooper for their unselfish commitment to this goal. "My best memories are associated with the Boy Scout experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone," says Robert.

The Headley family's collective experiences in Boy Scouts have given them a unity, purpose, focus, and family tradition that many families struggle to find. Focusing on the "little things" of mastering a skill, achieving a rank, or feeling comfortable in the out-of-doors, they were, in reality, achieving greater things, including the acquiring of character and the molding of admirable and well-grounded young men.

Robert summed it up when he said, "I had always wanted to be an Eagle Scout, I thought it was the coolest. But, on a subconscious level, I also didn't want to be the one to let down the family name."

Will Rogers, humorist, and social commentator, once said, "The only problem with Boy Scouts is, there aren't enough of them." He might have amended that or have been comforted if he had only known the Headley dynasty of Boy Scouts. |WM