Obituary of Willie G. Briggs III

BRIGGS, Willie III Age 76 of Elmira. He went to be with the lord on April 30th, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. Willie was born on December 16th, 1940 and had the love for boxing at a very early age. Willie started boxing at the age of 9 years old, under the coach Walter J Bosley. In 1962 Willie won the New York state Golden Gloves championship as a welterweight and almost won again the following year in a disputed lost in Buffalo New York. Willie was also a member of the U.S Army team, were he was the 24th division welterweight. Willie fought in Europe, including Stockholm the capital of Sweden. Willie's last fight was in Rochester New York in 1968 where he ended his boxing carrier with a record of 56-3. Willie was one of the best amateur boxers to ever coming out of Elmira, New York. Willie enjoyed fishing and being around his family and friends, and was the life of the party. Willie was predeceased by his father Willie Briggs Sr his mother Phyllis Marie Briggs and his sister Frances (EMMA) Gonzales and his daughter Michelle Howard. Willie was survived by his sister Desiree Briggs and his brother James Briggs, his children Terry L. Briggs, Latina D. Briggs, Willie G. Briggs IV, Walter Briggs, Andre C. Rogers, Nakia McCray and George Booker. Willie had several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews that he loved. Willie Briggs will be missed by everyone. He will be laid to rest on Friday, May 12th 2017 at 3 pm in Woodlawn National Cemetery with full military honors for his service to our country. Family will host a cook out on Saturday May 13th, 2017 at 1 pm at the Queen City Elks Lodge, 726 Benjamin St, Elmira NY 14901 in his memory. If Willie could speak one last time to his loved ones and friends, he would say; I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.