William Albert Briggs, age 58, of Frederic, Wisconsin passed away on March 8th, 2018 at Burnett Medical Center's Continuing Care Center.
He was born to George and Eileen (Whalen) Briggs on March 5th, 1960 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Throughout his childhood Bill enjoyed playing hockey and football, fishing, hunting and camping on Little Wood Lake. Soon after his graduation from Washington High School in 1978 he moved to Grantsburg with his family where Bill continued enjoying his hobbies and started water-skipping. He worked for the DNR and Parker-Hannifin.
In 1985 Bill was diagnosed with ALS. Throughout the progression of his disease he continued to live life to the fullest, enjoying most of his hobbies up until recent years.
Soon after, Bill met his future wife, Michele (Pennison) and bought a home in Trade Lake where they would build their life together. Bill and Michele were married September 23, 1995. Throughout their marriage Bill and Michele enjoyed their dogs, watching and attending sporting events, hunting, and being active in the ALS community. For many years Bill and Michele organized and designed t-shirts for the ALS Walk-A-Thon in Chippewa Falls. Though ALS began to limit Bill’s hobbies, he never lost his sense of humor which he was known for best.
After losing Michele to breast cancer in 2017, Bill moved into the Burnett Medical Center's Continuing Care Center where he lived his final year.
Bill is survived by his mom, Eileen Briggs; brothers, George (Laurie) Briggs, Michael Briggs; sister-in-law, Julie Pfluger; nieces, nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Michele; father, George Briggs; and brother, Tim Briggs.
Bill’s family would like to send their sincerest appreciation to the nursing staff at Burnett Medical Center’s Continuing Care Center, St. Croix Hospice, and the many in-home caregivers who have shown such compassion to Bill throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s name to the: ALS Association, Wisconsin Chapter, 3333 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 104, Wauwatowsa, WI 53222 or online at
www.alsawi.org .
Memorial services will be held at Rowe Funeral Home, 101 Cedar St. W, Frederic, WI on Saturday, March 17, 2018 – visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. along with a luncheon at Crex Conventions, 429 - East State Road 70, Grantsburg, WI 54840 - beginning at 1 p.m.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at
www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown,
www.wicremationcenter.com .
