William ("Bill") Briddell, Sr, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Born and raised in Princess Anne, MD, he was the son of the late John Paul and Annie (Bloodsworth) Briddell. He was a graduate of Washington High School and a veteran of WWII serving in the Army in the Pacific Islands until contracting malaria and receiving an honorable discharge. He often laughed that he had no interest in ever going on a cruise boat, noting that seasickness on warships was not fun.
Bill was married for 73 wonderful years to the love of his life, the late Emily Briddell, who passed away on July 30, 2021. Bill's early employment was with Commercial Credit Corp (GA) and then with Larus and Brothers Tobacco (PA). He returned to Salisbury in 1955 with his family, first leasing Atlantic Esso on the "s"-shaped curve on N Salisbury Blvd and then, in 1962, buying and operating it T/A Briddell's Exxon Service Center. He never turned away anyone in need of gas or a repair. He sold the business and retired in 1987, although not for long. He was a true "people person" and went to work as a parking attendant in downtown Salisbury where he made many new friends until his retirement in 2001.
Bill believed in giving back to one's community. He was a member of the Salisbury Lion's Club (Treasurer 1973-74, President 1977-78, and Deputy District Governor 1980-81). He was a member and past president of AARP #1276; was President and Liaison of the American Field Service (AFS) program- Salisbury Chapter; served on the Mayor's Roundtable under Mayor Barry Tilghman in 2008; was an alternate for the City of Salisbury Zoning Board; was past member of the City of Salisbury Traffic Advisory Committee; past Board member helping to form the Johnny O Recovery Center; and was a Life Member of PRMC Plus Volunteers. The last project that he particularly enjoyed was helping with fundraising for the restoration of the Salisbury Bandstand in Salisbury City Park (2002). He and committee members Lynn Cathcart, Kaye Records, C.J. Webster, and Dr. Charles Smith raised $90,000 in donations and grants for the restoration including funds placed in the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore dedicated to future maintenance of the bandstand.
In 2005, Bill was nominated for volunteerism and community service by the Commission for Aging. He was a Wicomico County Business Frontline Person of the Year. He was honored in 2006 by Lion's Club International with the Melvin Jones' Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Service. However, the award he treasured the most was the 1966 Rotary's Four Way Test Award. Bill lived his life by the values of the Four Way Test.
Bill was a devout Christian even from a young age. A schoolmate shared that Bill would not let any of his classmates eat their lunches until after giving a blessing. He continued saying blessings at every meal and praying every day until his passing. He sometimes would break into spontaneous worship by singing, "God is so good!" He also loved giving scripture mints to people and loved his Ten Commandment sign that he had by his front door. Bill attended Church regularly and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class.
Bill loved his family and extended family and always maintained every Sunday as "family time". He was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always made it a point to tell them so. Bill also treasured his long-time friendships. He would "light up" whenever someone walked in the door to see him and always made each person feel like they were the most special person in the world. He gave the best "bear hugs" ever! Bill also loved to make people laugh and loved telling jokes and did so until just weeks before his passing. Bill will be remembered as being extremely generous- he was a "quiet philanthropist", giving to others without fanfare- a "dollar" in his pocket was quickly given to anyone in need.
Bill is survived by his 4 children- Becky Skinner (Bob), Salisbury MD; Paige Hazelton (Bob), Timonium MD; Bryan (Sue) Briddell, Saratoga Springs NY; and Donna (Rocky) Bartrug, Hebron MD. He also considered his nephew, Ward Garber (Barbara), Folsom PA as his "son", and the late Laura (late Cid) Forleo, AFS exchange student in 1972, as his "daughter". He is survived by 8 grandchildren:Brad Skinner of Easton, MD, Heather (Toby) Mayfield and Kerrie (Stephen) Coley all of Knoxville TN; Marcio (Jac) Forleo of Lakewood CO; JonRyan (Charlotte) Bartrug of Baltimore MD and Logan Bartrug (Arlington VA); Kelsey Briddell (Charlotte NC) and Taylor Briddell (Saratoga Springs NY); and 3 great-grandchildren: Aaron and Eli Coley, Knoxville TN; and Luca Forleo, Lakewood CO. He often said that he was the luckiest man alive to have such wonderful sisters-in-law- Frances, Betty Jane, and Gail. The family also was blessed by Janet Cubertson who helped with Bill and his brother, Ed, in their later months of life. Bill was preceded in death by his two sisters, Thelma Lee and Mildred, and brothers, Jimmy, Paul Jr, George ("Cotton"), Norman, and Ed.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, December 8,2021 at Hinman's Funeral Home in Princess Anne, MD, with visitation 10-11am and the celebration at 11:00am, officiated by Pastors KyungMo and SunAe Koo. Livestreaming will be available on the Hinman Funeral Home website. Burial with military honors will follow at Beechwood Cemetery followed by a reception at American Legion beside the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's memory to the Salisbury Bandstand Fund-Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Ave Suite 401, Salisbury MD 21804 (cfes.org) or to Christ United Methodist Church, 211 Phillip Morris Drive, Salisbury MD 21804. Live streaming will be available by going to www.youtube.com and typing Hinman Funeral Home in the search bar.