William James “Jim” Briggs

July 9, 1943 - March 1, 2024

On Friday, March 1, 2024, William James “Jim” Briggs left our world to join his beloved Holly who preceded him in death by too many years. Jim and Holly were high school sweethearts at Jefferson High School in Daly City, where Jim graduated in 1961. They grew in their love and were married for 44 fulfilling, happy years until Holly’s death in 2008. Jim was a San Francisco native and moved to Broadmoor Village when he began his married life with Holly. In 1974, they moved to Burlingame where they raised their children and made a home.

In death, Jim joins Holly as well as his parents, Julia Elizabeth (Wertz) Josephson and Carl Newton Briggs. Jim is survived by the loving family he created with Holly including daughter, Nicole (Briggs) Sandkulla and her husband, Stacy Sandkulla; son, Jamie Briggs and his wife, Jill Briggs; and four grandchildren, Alex Sandkulla, Holly Sandkulla, Paige Briggs, and Zachary Briggs. Jim is also survived by his sister, Helen (Briggs) Moore, who helped care for Jim in his final days with Nicole and Jamie, and his many beloved nieces and nephews. In the last year, Jim’s blessings and family grew as he celebrated his 80th birthday, Alex married Katelyn Sandkulla, and Jim’s great-granddaughter, Violet Nicole Sandkulla, was born on Christmas Eve.

Jim was a lifelong union electrician in San Francisco and worked as an electrical contractor until he retired. Jim took pride in working on his 100-year-old house in Burlingame to make it a home for Holly and their family. One of Jim’s favorite hobbies was to restore old cars including his award winning 1940 Ford truck and 1956 Chevy Bel Air. Jim had many longtime cherished friendships including those from Our Lady of Angels Church, McMillian Electric, Clear Lake, car clubs and Cursillo as well as his annual fishing trips to Mexico with his fishing buddies and travels with longtime friend Bobbi Smith. Jim’s friendships with his longtime neighbors became even more important during the pandemic when they began their weekly meetings which continue today.

Jim faced death like he faced life – with honor, love, courage and faith. The lessons that Jim taught his family will never be forgotten and his love for family will live on in each of us. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 on March 26th, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kaiser Hospice San Francisco, 4131 Geary Blvd., 4th Floor, San Francisco, Calif. 94118.