William “Bill” Briggs departed this life on April 30, 2017. He was born on June 19, 1945 and was one of nine children born to William Briggs Senior and Jessie Callahan Briggs-Summerville of Barnwell South Carolina.
When Bill was young he loved sports and believed that the coaches and mentors served as role models and shepherds of young people by looking out for them and giving guidance.

He was educated in Queens and graduated from John Adams High School.

Bill joined the Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He was a staff sergeant and served as an Air Traffic Controller, stationed in the Philippines. After four years in the service he returned to New York and studied at the University of Plattsburg and Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in pathology and became a laboratory technician in the field of Cytology.

Bill started playing tennis out of a curiosity and desire to broaden and enhance his life. He competed in tennis championships on the East Coast and many local amateur tournaments in New Jersey, Connecticut and winning the Masters Event in Queens, NY. In addition to tennis awards, he has received numerous community awards: the Lions International, Rotary Club, York College Leadership Award, Citibank Citizenship Award, NAACP Community Service Award, Martin Luther King Leadership Award, and was inducted into the New England Tennis Association Hall of Fame for 30 years of service. Most recently he received the Sports Award from the Queens Borough President Melinda Katz February 23, 2017, in celebration of Black History Month hosted by the African American Heritage Committee.

Inspired by the late Arthur Ashe, in 1972, Bill founded the National Academy of Junior Tennis and Youth Development, Youth and Tennis Inc. beginning with 5 youngsters, while using his own money to purchase tennis racquets for them. Over the years the organization has trained over 30, 000 youngsters proficient in playing tennis who range from ages 4-19. Initially tennis clinics were held at Roy Wilkins Park, Starrett City in Brooklyn. Cunningham Park, Bay Terrace, Liberty Park, York College before finding a permanent tennis facility at Roy Wilkins Park. The academy not only taught tennis but also created "The School for Academic and Social Development" which enriched and inspired the youth by inviting guest speakers to conduct workshops on topics such as self-esteem, nutrition, job seeking, resume writing, fire safety and many other topics. The mission of the Academy is to “Strive for Greatness”.

In late 2010 through the assistance of former Borough President Helen Marshall, Youth and Tennis broke ground at Roy Wilkins Park and created an indoor facility with a tennis bubble so that tennis became available year round. Also instrumental in starting the conversation about the tennis bubble with city officials was Edward J. Lewis former Assistant Commissioner, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. With this home, Bill began to talk to Public and Private schools about tennis and developed a School's Program, "The Early Exposure to Tennis Program", where youth are brought to play tennis at the tennis bubble during their school day and also being a form of physical education for the student.

In 1988, Bill was introduced to his wife Belinda Johnston MD a Top Teen Advisor for Top Ladies of Distinction Queens Empire State Chapter through a parent and teen who were involved in their programs. Former National Top Teen President Cherise Griffiths (teen) and Brenda Griffiths (parent). They were married on July 17, 1993 by Reverend Alonza Lawrence, D. Min., Moore Street Baptist Church, Richmond Virginia. They have one daughter Asia and two granddaughters Macaela and Desiah.

Bill was a people person and was involved in many local organizations in the community. Bill was a very private person about his personal and family life. He cared about looking strong and doing the best he could in all situations “striving for greatness”. He relied on family and friends during his illness leaving Yvonne Bandison to take over the helm of Youth and Tennis, but also relying on his friends Gregg and Jackie Robinson for assisting with him through this time as well as Anna his sister and beloved daughter Asia.

He leaves his wife of 23 years Belinda Johnston-Briggs MD, daughter Asia, grandchildren, Macaela and Desiah, sisters, Gail Briggs, June Harris, Anna Rodriguez, Leona Briggs and brother, David Briggs, nephew Sebastian(God son), nieces Myrinda and Shannon, a host of grandnephews and grandnieces. Preceding him in death were a sister Delores Briggs and his two brothers Gregory and Louis.

He is also survived by mother in law Ruby Johnston, sisters-in law Stephanie Edwards (Buddy), Ruby Johnston (Gee), brothers-in law, James Johnston (Tessie), Michael and Marvin Johnston.
He also leaves his Youth and Tennis Family, the coaching staff, Calvin Williams, Charlie Robinson, Robert Atkinson, David Herd, Lawrence Gallmon, Yvonne Bandison, Brittney Eady, long time board members Vivian Bennett and Alberta Crawley. His young and old professionals were Sean Roker, Rael Wallace, Wallace Smith, Anthony Bradley, Gemma Mozek, Jeanine Septh, Datus Murray, Michele Ellington and Terry Hall. Also a host of others remain who have supported Bill throughout his tennis endeavors.

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