When Bill Webb’s grandchildren decided to throw him an 80th birthday surprise, they didn’t just dig up old photos — they brought his past to life.
Seven grandchildren transformed into walking, talking timelines of their “Papa,” stitching together decades of memories into a playful tribute that left the family patriarch — and the internet — grinning from ear to ear. The idea sparked during a brainstorming session between Kenzie Greene, her mom, and her aunts.
We came up with the idea of dressing up as Papa at different stages of his life,” Greene said.
The cousins quickly claimed their roles, each embodying an era that mirrored their own connection to him. Hutton Jones, 19, became “football Papa,” channeling Webb’s athletic youth, while Greene, a University of Tennessee student like her grandfather, donned a cap for “college Papa.” Cousin Carson, a dead ringer for Webb’s wedding photos, slid into “married Papa,” while others tackled “engineering Papa,” “beach Papa,” and more.
Bill Webb, center, surrounded by his grandkids. Photo courtesy of Kenzie Greene
“It worked out because I could put my hair up and wear a baseball cap,” Greene said. “My cousin Cameron dressed up as ‘engineering papa,’ and my oldest brother, Jackson, who has a bit of a silly vibe, dressed up as ‘beach papa.’ He wore an open shirt and totally embraced it.”
@kkenziegreenethe BEST way to celebrate 80 years!!! 😇♬ original sound – KENZIE GREENE
The family leaned into the theme, sporting Webb’s go-to maroon sweatshirts and khakis. But the real magic happened in the basement, where the cousins unearthed vintage snapshots. “I actually hadn’t seen any of those pictures before,” Greene said, laughing at the discovery that her cousin Carson bore a striking resemblance to their grandfather. “We were like, ‘Oh, they look so similar! That’s crazy!’”
The surprise unfolded like a quirky time-travel parade. Youngest cousin Mason kicked things off, presenting his photo before the others followed, era by era. “We had no idea what Papa’s reaction would be, and he thought it was hilarious,” Greene said. Even Webb’s wife, “Nana,” was in the dark, making her delighted shock part of the charm.
Captured on video by Greene’s fiancé, the moment hit TikTok and promptly stole 3.3 million hearts. Commenters gushed over Webb’s joy, with one dubbing it “papaw: the eras tour.”
You really took this man down memory lane… it’s so special to see the way his eyes light up,” said a viewer.
For Greene, the viral fame was just icing on the cake. “He’s like, anything for my granddaughter,” she said, noting her grandfather’s playful support. Their bond shines especially bright —she’s his only granddaughter in a sea of grandsons. “He’s always remembering things about me, even when I was a baby,” she added.
Kenzie with her grandfather Bill Webb. Photo courtesy of Kenzie Greene
The tribute mirrored Webb’s own legacy of family devotion. A retired engineer, he’s spent years crafting memories, from Disney cruises (revealed via scrambled-letter puzzles) to lake house gatherings. “He definitely knows how to make all of us feel special,” Greene said.
As the cousins reenacted his life, Webb’s laughter echoed with the love of his family. “It was really cute and so exciting since we didn’t practice it,” Greene said. One TikTok viewer put it perfectly: “I may not know this family personally, but this speaks volumes about love, legacy, and the strength of family bonds. What a reminder of the beauty in honoring those who paved the road before us. This is the kind of legacy that inspires us all. What a family!”
Sources: People | Epoch Times
