A kind and fun-loving soul quietly left the suffering of this earth for a better life with his Lord. William H. Briggs, Jr., age 66 of Taylorville, formerly of Assumption and Edinburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Bill was born March 13, 1949 in Taylorville to William H. and Eileen (Baillie) Briggs. He attended Assumption schools and entered the U. S. Air Force upon graduation, proudly serving his country in the U. S. and in Misawa, Japan he served from 1968 to 1972 retiring as a Sergeant. Upon returning to Illinois, he worked many years for Wagner Castings in Decatur, and later as a cross-country truck driver for JB Hunt. He loved traveling the country and was presented with one of JB Hunt’s top national driving awards, an achievement he greatly valued. He was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Illini and the Chicago Cubs and Bears. As much as he loved life and loved driving, he loved his family more, and was always concerned for their welfare. We will greatly miss his fun-loving ways, for his heart came through in the ways he laughed with and teased those who were closest to him. He never lost his unique sense of humor that we loved.
He leaves to mourn and to cherish fond memories his dear son, Wesley Briggs and wife Lisa, grand-daughter Courtney Briggs and step-grandsons Cole Link and Noah Link, all of Olathe, Kansas; three sisters, Anna (Dennis) Jeffrey, of Taylorville; Sally (John) Riley of Macon; Susie (Don) Christopher, of Edinburg; and brother Gary (Rita) Briggs of Blue Mound; ten nieces and nephews, eighteen great-nieces and nephews; lifelong friend Jon Lowrance of Assumption, and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Bill gave his heart to Jesus in recent years and was baptized in a beautiful multi-denominational service in his home a few months ago. He was a member of Edinburg Christian Church, and was ministered to by Rev. Rob Petersen as well as Sister Rose McKeown, from Hospice, both of whom he was very fond of.
Services for Bill will be this Friday, May 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, with visitation starting one hour prior to the funeral. Rev. Rob Petersen will be officiating. Burial will be in Old Stonington Cemetery, Stonington, IL. The family would like to thank Springfield Memorial Hospice and Taylorville Care Center for their care of Bill, with special thanks to Sister Rose and Rev. Rob, and others who visited with him.
Arrangements by Sutton Memorial Home, Taylorville, Illinois
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