Norman Reynolds Briggs Jr.

Norman R Briggs Jr, age 71, passed away Saturday November 18, 2023 at home in Leander, TX after battling liver cancer. Holly, his wife of 50 years, was by his side during his last moments along with family and friends.

He was born in Warwick, RI, on July 21, 1952. He grew up in West Greenwich, RI with his loving parents as well as 2 brothers and 2 sisters. He graduated from Coventry High School in 1970. Later that year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and spent much of the next few years deployed to Vietnam and traveled to Thailand, Japan and the Philippines during this time.

Upon returning to Rhode Island after Vietnam he married the love of his life and best friend Holly Hamilton on June 3, 1973. Norman and Holly made their home in Rhode Island where they raised two children, Stephanie and Shaun.

Through the years, Norman lived a life of service. After Vietnam he enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard, and had a decorated career until retirement in 1999. In his civilian life, he held various positions throughout the years to include dedicated service to the city of East Greenwich in the public works department.

In 2009 Norman and Holly moved to Leander, TX to enjoy retirement with their grown children and their families nearby. Here he was very active in the Leander United Methodist Church and the VFW Post 10427.

His greatest joy came from his hobbies and interests with his family and friends which included riding his motorcycle, target shooting, bowling, skiing and of course golfing whenever he could even in the rain and snow. He became known fondly as Stormin Norman during his many years of BMX racing traveling with his family up and down the east coast throughout the 80’s and 90’s. This included a community of families that formed an extended BMX family that have remained close throughout the years. Most will say that he was the greatest handyman ever with friends and family knowing if it needed to be done then Norm could do it. His grandkids were known to say “well Papa can just fix it” when something was broken and he even had the t-shirt that said so.

To know him is to love him and God gave us a good one. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law as well as a bonus uncle and grandfather to every kid that came around.

His journey to the pearly gates was preceded by his parents Norman R Briggs Sr and Madeline Lussier Briggs as well as his in-laws Kennth L Hamilton Sr and Joyce Fiske Hamilton.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Holly as well as 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. They include Stephanie Hill and her husband Alex, Shaun Briggs, Alexis Smith and her husband Ty, Kyle Briggs, Logan Parmenter, Sophia Parmenter, Dylan Briggs, Kate Hill, Audrey Hill, Cassidy Smith and Tinsley Smith.

As the oldest of 5 he leaves behind sisters Ann Briggs Olszewski and Debi Briggs Auld and brothers Gary and Ernie Briggs along with his in-laws Oren and Nancy Robinson, Kenny and Deborah Hamilton and many many nieces and nephews who will say that he was the best Uncle ever.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a visitation on Monday, November 27, 2023 from 5pm-8pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Leander Funeral Home, 1200 S. Bagdad Rd. Leander, TX 78641. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 11am at Leander United Methodist Church, 107 S W Dr, Leander, TX 78641. A Committal Service will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 10am at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542 where Norman will be laid to rest.

Flowers can be sent to Weed-Corley-Fish Leander Funeral Home for the visitation or to Leander United Methodist Church for the celebration of life.

Donations in Normans name can be made to the VFW Post 10427 at www.vfw10427.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishleander.com for the Briggs family.