Crafters of artisan game boards hope to inspire new family traditions
By: Storme Smith
Kerri and Bill Shea took a gamble on their favorite game.
Portrait by Lauren Rutten
They say the best way to learn backgammon is to play backgammon, and Bill Shea, fueled by his enduring passion for the game, along with his wife Kerri, have made it their mission to get more families around the board. Together, this Marshall couple has channeled their vision into their business, Legacy Boards Backgammon, crafting custom backgammon and chess boards that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal.
For Bill, backgammon has always been more than just a game; it symbolizes cherished family values. “Backgammon has been a long-standing tradition since my childhood,” he explains. Taught by his mother, Bill and his four siblings continued the legacy by passing down the game to their children.
The competitive spirit that flourished within family reunions prompted Bill to build larger custom boards. This passion soon led to Legacy Boards, a venture dedicated to crafting exquisite, personalized backgammon games.
Versions of backgammon are thought to have originated as far back as ancient Mesopotamia. The game — involving a combination of luck and strategy in moving checkers around a board with the goal of “bearing off” the pieces at the end — is often called the oldest in the world.
Meanwhile, the evolution of the Shea family tradition has shifted from casual enjoyment to fierce competition. “To say our family is competitive would be an understatement,” Bill admits. Trophies and bragging rights fuel the excitement during their annual reunions, where the title of family champion is earnestly contested. But watching the younger generation engage with friends and family in this unplugged experience brings Bill and Kerri just as much joy.
Creating a Legacy Board is a meticulous process that starts with careful wood selection — typical species are ambrosia maple, black walnut, and rainbow poplar. Bill and Kerri pride themselves on using sustainable, kiln-dried wood to prevent warping and ensure longevity. The artistry unfolds as they customize the live slabs, often hand-carving their three-dimensional star logo into each piece.
Kerri’s creative touch shines through in the leather work, as she selects and prepares the playing surface. More than 60 individual pieces of leather are cut and meticulously arranged to create a quiet surface for gameplay.
Transitioning from crafting boards for families to a broader audience presented its own set of challenges. “Self-doubt was pervasive,” Bill admits as he recounts his nerves after donating work to his first live auction, Art Affair, the annual gala event of OpenDoors Asheville (a nonprofit that aims to eliminate race-based opportunity and achievement gaps for local students). However, the validation received from enthusiastic buyers fueled the Sheas’ commitment to crafting “functional art.”
Living in rural, artsy Marshall has further inspired their artistic vision. The Sheas actively engage with the local arts community, bridging their business with civic involvement. At the same time, they’ve broadened their outreach, donating boards to the American Cancer Society via The Cattle Barons Ball in Dallas and to the American Heart Association by way of the Chicago Heart Ball.
Ultimately, Bill and Kerri envision a future where their work is passed down through generations, bringing family and friends together with spirited camaraderie.
“We love watching a game break out on one of our boards.”
Legacy Boards Backgammon, Marshall, legacyboardsbackgammon.com, legacyboardsnc@gmail.com.