William Claude Briggs, age 76, of the Arbuckle Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 9th, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Rev. Roscoe Briggs, Sr. and Pearl Briggs. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, John Stephen Briggs who passed away in 1994; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jay and Muriel Laws; three brothers: Paul, Reed and Thurman Briggs; two sisters: Clara Lee Chrisawn and Frances Briggs Boone; brothers-in-law: Jerry Boone and Charles McKinney; and sister-in-law, Maude Briggs.

Claude proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Korea where he was a mechanic during the Vietnam Era. Upon returning to the U.S., he began driving a milk truck for Robinson’s Dairy, Biltmore Dairy, Pet Milk and the Pet Ice Cream Truck. He went on to work at Ethan Allen for a number of years until its closure, then drove a dump truck for Tipton & Young, which later became Young & McQueen, from which he retired. A few of his favorite hobbies include watching NASCAR racing and Duke basketball, working on cars, especially a Dodge which was his favorite, and enjoyed time on his lawnmower, making sure his yard always looked good.

He was a lifelong member of Bowditch Union Church, and was a devout Christian who truly loved the Lord. Aside from his strong faith in Christ, his family was more important to him than anything on earth, and he loved nothing more than spending time with them all, especially his grandson. He will forever be remembered as a kind, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Those who knew him will forever cherish his memory.

Surviving is his loving wife of almost 53 years, Kathy Laws Briggs; son, Stephen Briggs and wife, Misty of Penland; daughter, Stephanie Briggs Whitson and husband, Jody of Arbuckle; grandson, Tyler Briggs of Arbuckle; sister, Shirley McKinney of Estatoe; two brothers: Charles Briggs and wife, Geraline of Micaville and Rev. Roscoe Briggs, Jr. of Micaville; sisters-in-law: Adaleen Briggs, Shirley Briggs, Clara Briggs and Rosie Laws; and brothers-in-law, Clarence Chrisawn, Jerry Laws and Randy Laws. Many nieces, nephews, extended family and his loving church family also survive.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday, September 16th at Yancey Funeral Services. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17th at Bowditch Union Church with Jeff Laws, Rev. Ronnie Whitson and Rev. Chad Chrisawn officiating. Burial will follow in the Will Young Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Sgt. E.L. Randolph Chapter #57 D.A.V. Pallbearers will be Stephanie Briggs Whitson, Stephen Briggs, Jody Whitson, Steven Boone, Tim Boone, Alan Boone, Jeff Laws and Michael Byrd. Honorary pallbearers will be Jenson and Jaymus Laws.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Kim Huskins Ogle with Compassionate Care WNC and Autumn Laws for the wonderful care given to Claude and his family. Memorial donations may be made to Bowditch Union Church at 420 Rice Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.