August 7, 2014
[caption id="attachment_6880" align="alignright" width="200"] Chief Billy Hendricks[/caption]
Life lessons from a great leader...
Last week notification was received that retired Fire Chief Billy L. Hendricks had peacfully passed away at his home after battling a long illness. Only a few in the fire service today still remember the Chief and most have never heard his name. It is for this reason I feel compelled to share with our membership a glimpse of the man who contributed so much to our calling and whose “life lessons” are our inheritence.
Chief Hendricks was born in Ninety Six, S. C., in 1932. We are told as a teenager the Chief circumvented the age requires in order to join the United States Air Force as a crash/rescue firefighter. He was a decorated soldier in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired as a Master Sergeant. His love for the fire service continued in civilian life where he served as Chief of the Gantt Fire District and later as Chief of the Hanahan Fire Department and eventually the North Charleston District Fire Department.
During his long career in the fire service, this gentle man served his state in many capacities, among which were President of the State Fire Chiefs' Association, Chairman of the Fire School Committee (today's Training & Education Committee), Joint Council of Fire Service Associations, Legislative Committee and numerous others. On a national level, Chief Hendricks was elected President of the Southeastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs where his passion for training standards was so unmistakable and plain. A dedicated and interesting instructor, Chief Hendricks taught many a firefighter in the basics of what was then called “firefighting technology” (today's Essentials). His passion for a statewide Fire Academy and its training programs was shared by other leaders of the day, and together they became a “power house” of influence and change.
I have to confess that as I stood at the gravesite last Friday, my mind was more focused on several lessons his life taught me than than on the scriptures that were being read. His life was the embodiment of first seeking God's wisdom before making a decision or taking action on an issue. He tried to teach me patience when dealing with matters that I could not change....that in the end things will evolve to the point that I can make a difference. I also learned from this man to stand your ground on matters of importance even when it may be unpopular, but he would always add his caution on taking a stand that you must do your homework and be right.
Chief Hendricks loved his wife, Betsy, and was quick to acknowledge that any accomplishments are due to her support and encouragement. He was always proud of his son and daughter an forever boasting of his grandchildren and great grands. He loved his Lord and faithfully served his church.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have been mentored by Chief Hendricks and to be one of the beneficiaries of his “life lessons."
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