If the measure of a writer is the words he leaves behind, and the measure of a man is the love of family and friends, then Bill Briggs was remarkable.

William Robert Briggs, 61, passed away Oct. 19, 2024 after fighting non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, leaving behind his beloved wife Nancy Nocella Briggs and daughter Andrea Margaret Briggs.

If you were a news figure committing bad acts, Bill was the last reporter you wanted to hear from. If you needed help or had a story of success, no one could tell the story with more empathy, creativity and power. His newspaper reporting was recognized by multiple national organizations, including the Pulitzer Prize as part of the staff of The Denver Post in 2000.

But all of that was surpassed by Bill's love and support of those in his orbit. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and friend – always with words of optimism, humor, encouragement, wisdom and comfort. Even in the toughest days of his battles with cancer, Bill would put aside his struggles to lift up those around him.

With a gleam in his eye and a sly smile, Bill lit up every room he entered. "Bill always brought more to the table than he took," said Frank Scandale, one of his editors at The Denver Post.

Bill genuinely cared about people. He'd strike up a conversation with anyone and soon know their life story. It was a trait that made him an exceptional reporter and human being.

Known by some of his friends as "coach," he was a tremendous athlete and student of sports, leading a group of ragtag Denver Post reporters in a daily basketball game at the downtown YMCA and providing professional-level analysis of the sports teams he followed.

He was best friends with Nancy – finishing each other's sentences, constantly laughing over M*A*S*H reruns, traveling overseas, celebrating at Jimmy Buffett concerts or just watching TV on the couch. Together they lived life to the fullest.

He was Andrea's biggest cheerleader, helping her through tough times and celebrating every success.

Born June 1, 1963 in Ithaca, NY, to Robert Cornelius Briggs and Margaret Barr Briggs, Bill graduated St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor's in Arts and Communication. He worked at several newspapers, including 18 years at The Denver Post in News and Sports.

He left newspapers to write a book: "The Third Miracle: An Ordinary Man, a Medical Mystery, and a Trial of Faith," published by Random House in Jan. 2011. He also co-authored "Amped, A Soldier's Race for Gold in the Shadow of War," with Kortney Clemons, an American Paralympian and an Iraq War veteran.

In addition to his wife (and their beloved dog Wilson), his daughter and parents, Bill is survived by his sister Mary Newnham (Rick), two brothers: John Briggs (Michele) and Peter Briggs, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and Andrea's mother Lorrie Burke Briggs.

Memorials can be made in Bill's honor to a Lymphoma organization of your choice.

Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Creedmoor. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com