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In Loving Memory

Briggs, Rev. William E.

Rev. William E. Briggs, age 94, went home to be home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 8, 2023.  Born on April 10, 1929 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Alton B. Briggs, Sr., and Beatrice Briggs (nee Raffensperger).  Bill went to and graduated from Altoona High School where he played football and sang in the choir.  Throughout high school, he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and participated in the youth group where he met Phyllis Stitt, the love of his life.

Bill and Phyllis went to and graduated from Pennsylvania Bible Institute in Philadelphia.  They were married on August 4, 1951 and honeymooned in New England.  Bill received his Bachelor’s Degree from Kings College in Delaware and his Masters of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.  During his years of study, he worked different jobs including being the Youth Pastor at Reinhardt Bible Church in Dallas, Texas.

Bill’s first church was Alief Community Church in Alief, Texas where he served for seven years.  During this time, Bill also was a Captain in the Army Reserves where is he served as Chaplain.  He was then called to be the Pastor of LaGrange Bible Church in LaGrange, Illinois where he served for six years.  In 1971, he became the Pastor of Waukesha Bible Church, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, which had a membership of 350 and when he left Waukesha to move to St. Louis in 1988 had a membership of over 750.

Bill was Pastor of South County Bible Church for 10 years from 1988 to 1998 when he retired.  He was not retired long when he joined IMI, Interim Ministries International, where he went on to work with 13 different ministries.  Bill officially retired in 2015 but he never stopped sharing his love of Christ with as many people as he could.  Bill and Phyllis made many friends during their times in the different churches that they were part of.

Bill and Phyllis had one son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Bridget Briggs, and four grandchildren, Brendan, Braden, Breanna and Bryant.  Bill was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Alton B. Briggs, Jr. and David E. Briggs.  He is survived by his sister-in-law, Joan Briggs, and his niece Billie Joy Briggs of Lubbock, Texas.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Services:  Visitation at South County Bible Church 4111 Von Talge Road St. Louis, MO 63128 Saturday, September 16, 10am until service at 1pm.  Concludes at church.  Interment Monday September 18, 10am Park Lawn Cemetery meet at cemetery entrance.

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14 thoughts on “Briggs, Rev. William E.”

  1. I have a lot of fun (special)memories of Pastor and the 3 mission trips we were on. I will always remember him . He was there during the good times and the sad times. He was more than my Pastor he was my friend.

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    • I remember in Maui when I was sharing Christ with you and I panicked. I told Pastor Briggs, and he was able to share the love of Christ with you and now you are forever changed! God put the right man on the job!

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  2. We were greatly influenced by his teaching through the Word which went beyond the elementary principles to solid food. Eternally grateful for the lives of Pastor Briggs and Phyllis, Brent and Bridgett and their ministry.

    We will see you in Glory someday!

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  3. Miss you and the family. I attended WBC the entire time you were there. Many memories. You baptized me, and were at our wedding. Wish there would be a memorial closer to attend.

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  4. Pastor Briggs and Phyllis are two we will continue to remember in so many, many ways. Jim so enjoyed the mission trip to Maui with his Uncle Walter Graf and Wilma with Pastor. Pastor Briggs tied the knot very tied with our daughter, Nicole and her husband, Jonathan, twenty years ago. Building onto the front of SCBC was done under Pastor Briggs guidance and Jim was on that committee. Yes, well done my faithful servant…our Pastor Briggs.

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  5. Pastor Briggs ministered at SCBC during formative years in my life (age 6 to 16). I remember him singing Psalm 46 for us kids. His singing always matched his personality — Allegro. Even though I did not know the Lord then, I was convicted this man believed what he preached. His black wingtips often came perilously close to the edge of the platform in his desire to reach people with the gospel.
    He was a man who really loved the Word of God and the people of God—a rare combination even in Christian ministry. He cared enough to counsel Cassie and me prior to marrying us in 2004. He wept openly when my Dad died.
    Those who knew Pastor Briggs loved him. We can now rejoice that the benediction he often gave for his flock is now his fullest reality:
    “And now may the grace of God, fellowship and communion of the Spirit of God, rest and abide upon us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

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  6. I began attending Waukesha Bible Church in 1973 shortly after I was born again. Bill was the lead pastor at the time; he baptized me. He was a great man…love him greatly…sorry I was not able to attend. I learned a lot from him. I thank God for his ministry in my life. I look forward to seeing him again…meanwhile praising Jesus Christ for making this possible.

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  7. We are so grateful for Pastor Bill’s faithful proclamation of the gospel at Waukesha Bible Church. I came to Christ and was baptized by him as a teen. His family also knew my in-laws, the Belleman’s, who were also at DTS and Reinhardt. We know he will be missed, but by God’s grace, we will see him again.

    Craig Tenaglia

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  8. I appreciate so much the leadership and gracious spirit Pastor Briggs displayed when I was ordained at La Grange Bible Church in April, 1968. His encouragement and support was so helpful at that time to Karen and I.

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  9. I am so sorry for your loss. Pastor Briggs was our pastor at LaGrange Bible Church back in the 1960’s. He baptized my father, Dick Caldwell on June 12, 1966. Pastor and Phyllis were such good friends to my parents. That Godly leadership meant so much to both of them. Both my parents were abandoned by their own fathers at the age of 3. Pastor Briggs would just ‘hug’ you with that smile of his. Thank the Lord we’ll all be together again.

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  10. As a student in high school, I studied Bible Doctrine under Bill Briggs at Alief Community Church. I learned what dichotomous and trichotomous Christians meant. Later, my wife & I became member of Berachah Church in Houston, Tx and have been there since. I lost track of Bill & Phyllis, until I googled his name a few minutes ago after reviewing the terms, dichotomous and trichotomous. I am extremely grateful for the basic foundation in Bible Doctrine I received Alief Community Church.

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  11. I was blessed to know Pastor Briggs & Phyllis while they were serving at Alief Community Church in Alief, TX. Thanks to pastor Bill I accepted Jesus as my savior as a teenager. He & Phyllis were so much fun to be around for us teens. I look forward to seeing them in my next life!

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  12. Bill Briggs and his wife Phillys were a great gift to our Alief community during their time at the Community Church. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm and loved the Lord with all his heart.. He not only preached three times a week but he also led the singing, led the youth group, coached the “Red Bugs” basketball team, introduced Young Life to the Houston Area, and was a member of the volunteer fire department. He influenced all of our lives for Christ, and at least one, me, to become a pastor after his model ! So sorry to hear of his passing and all of our love from Alief I would like to express to his beautiful wife Phyllis and to his family. Those were the best days !!!

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