Family, friends, and fellow Scouts gathered on Saturday morning to honor William Hagerty, a Pinecrest High School senior who was posthumously awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. The ceremony was held at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Southern Pines, and the hall was entirely filled with loved ones honoring William’s memory.
William, 17, passed away from injuries sustained in a car crash on Dec. 10, 2024. The Eagle Scout is the highest and most prestigious achievement in the Scouts BSA program and is very rarely awarded posthumously.
An exception was made for William, who was an exceptional Scout himself.
William’s father, Michael Hagerty, recounted that William’s Eagle Scout application was found in his backpack on the day of his passing. He had been involved in Scouting for eight years and had achieved the rank of Life Scout. He was just a few steps away from becoming an Eagle Scout, with a nearly completed project that involved building cedar wood duck boxes to support the South Creek Waterfowl Conservation Project.
Troop Seven Scoutmaster Shawn Kemp presented the award, titles, and materials to William’s family.
“From the very beginning, William had consistently shown the willingness to lend a helping hand to those around him,” recalled Shawn. “William embodied the spirit of scouting. He was always ready to help others and share his knowledge. He approached every challenge with a sense of purpose and integrity, reminding us of the importance of service, faith, and community.”
William’s father spoke about his son’s passion and dedication—not just to Scouting but to the people around him.
“We initially said that award is for the living—he has no need for it where he’s at,” Michael explained. “But I was wrong. William deserved it.”
William earned 25 merit badges, served as a patrol leader multiple times, taught younger Scouts, and was always volunteering for events and activities.
At the ceremony, he was also recognized by the Sons of the American Revolution, who honored him for his accomplishments.
“I want to encourage everyone to live their life like William,” said Michael.
Friends and family alike continued to paint William as the picture of the ideal Eagle Scout. A devoted Catholic, William carried a rosary with him every day and quietly lived his faith.
He was an avid reader, a dedicated athlete who never missed a workout, and a natural leader who took pride in guiding younger Scouts.
Michael laughed as he recalled 90s country music blaring from the garage and that everywhere they went, William would be “looking for a Planet Fitness that he could talk his way into.”
“He would want me to add that his personal best 1-rep max on the bench was 340 pounds,” added Michael, grinning.
The ceremony was closed with a prayer from William’s younger brother, and the packed hall was welcomed to celebrate the accomplishments of a young man who left a lasting impact on his community.
Feature photo: William Hagerty’s family stand with Mike Saulnier and Steven Lawrence of the Sandhills Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on March 15.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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