Planning a Legacy - Bill and Phyllis Younger

Bill and Phyllis Younger have always enjoyed a challenge, whether in their business or personal lives. They strive to do their best. Some of this comes from Bill's Scouting experience.

Bill joined the Boy Scouts of Troop 8, sponsored by the Congregational Church of Appleton, Wisconsin in 1935. Almost immediately, he and one of his buddies set their goal on the rank of Eagle. A healthy competition developed between the boys and both achieved that rank at an early age, along with a wide variety of merit badges, 42 for Bill and 50 for his buddy. Both boys enjoyed camping experiences and participated in Camp Ammon at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee.

After time in the Marine Corps in WWII and an education at Purdue University and the University of Indiana, Bill entered the business world and eventually joined Allen Bradley Co. in Milwaukee. One day, a Lutheran pastor asked Bill to help with the Explorer Program and Bill was hooked, for he enjoyed working with high school youth as they began to explore their possible career choices.

Bill was honored with the Silver Beaver and Antelope awards and finally the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, which is given to former Eagles who give extraordinary service to their communities for at least 25 years after their Eagle award.

Bill and his wife Phyllis have two children and six grandchildren. Their married daughter lives in Connecticut, and a married son resides in San Francisco. Incidentally, Bill's son is also an Eagle Scout, as is one of his grandsons.

Bill and Phyllis firmly believe in working for and financially supporting community causes. Church has always been a key part of their lives and, learning and believing in the principles of stewardship and tithing, they are committed to generously sharing their blessings.

Bill says, "We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave the same way." Having worked to accumulate some equity, they say it's fun now to really make a difference by giving it away.

Bill also believes strongly in financial planning, asserting that educational programs such as those sponsored by the Boy Scouts should be attended by every adult, regardless of age, and the sooner the better. He believes that starting a program tailored to one's personal situation provides two benefits: it is the key to family financial security and, at the same time, can help worthwhile charities. Bill says, "We worked too hard all our lives to end up giving half of our money back to the government. We have already paid our taxes. Now we want to have fun giving money away."

And of course, the Boy Scouts is one of the Youngers' favorite charities. They believe Scouting has a great past and a very promising future that will impact the course of our country and the world. Part of their Scout giving is for the annual Friends of Scouting fund, but they also give to the Endowment, which is the assurance of a viable Scouting program in the future.