Wade Briggs

Wade Lee “Butterball Jr.” Briggs, 75, of Michigan died Sept. 20, 2021. He was the brother of Anita Barnes of Union City.
The family requests memorials be made to Rogel Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Program at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made payable to University of Michigan and sent to Michigan Medicine Office of Development, 777 East Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Donations may also be made at victors.us/wadebriggs or by calling 734-764-6777.
Briggs was born to Roy Dennis and Clara C. Briggs on April 26, 1946, in Portland, Ore. He was their first born. He was raised in Delray, where the family attended New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He was educated in the Detroit Public School System and graduated from Southwestern High School. He worked for Ford Motor Company and Kirby Vacuum Company.
The radio star got his start in broadcasting while stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Amarillo, Texas. He worked in radio and TV, but caught his big break as the only black on-air personality at KRAY radio. Within his first year, the personality that Detroit would come to know and love took the Texas station’s ratings from the bottom to No. 2. His popularity and hard work earned him a promotion to the program director seat, allowing him to switch the station’s Top 40 format to Soul and R&B.
While in the Air Force, he attracted the attention of KFDA-TV 10 Amarillo and became its sports editor, later becoming a studio cameraman for KGNC-TV. After his military service, he received over 20 offers from radio stations across the country. The Detroit native returned home and accepted an offer from WCHB, where he worked as a DJ, program director and operations manager for WCHB and WJZZ for 14 years.
Briggs first made his mark on the city as a MC and radio personality at Detroit’s first black-owned and operated radio station, WCHB, where he hosted the award-winning “Rap with Butter” show.
His impact on Detroit went beyond the airwaves. An active member of the community, he served as a volunteer, mentor and political advocate. He coined the phrase, “Take your souls to the polls and vote,” to encourage listeners to elect Detroit’s first black mayor, Coleman A. Young.
In 1982, he traded his headphones for entrepreneurial pursuits as EVP of Barden Communications Inc. He and Don Barden co-founded Barden Cablevision of Detroit. As VP of programming and advertising, he helped mold a new generation of broadcast talent. Later, he was a partner in the Alpha Restaurant Group, the ATWATER Motor City Casino Group and other partnerships. He held a U.S. patent for a home security device.
As executive VP of Fee Records, he helped launch music icons like Grammy Award-winning singer Anita Baker and The Floaters. The Floaters’ album, “Float On” attained Platinum status. He was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.
In 1994, he founded VoiceNet Communications Inc., which he sold to Ameritech (now SBC Global) in 1997.
Wade L. Briggs Enterprises Inc. was founded in 1997 as a communications consulting firm that provided training and communication services for the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department. He was recognized by Mayor Dennis Archer for launching the Cultural Change program that created strong communication ties between employees and management; DWSD and external customers.
He enjoyed time away from the city and purchased a home “Up North” and loved boating on the “SS Butterfly I-IV.”
As he often told his listeners, Wade Briggs was his Christian name, but Butterball Jr. was his claim to fame.
He met Celeste, daughters, Candace and Corrin, and The Dorsey Family and later married on April 8, 2004. Until his last day, he remained loyal friends with his former wives, Susan and Jill. From these unions, his three amazing daughters were birthed: Deana Ellen, Erika Joy and Maya Claralise.
Throughout his life, he kept his love for his family, faith, music and community front and center. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Celeste Briggs; sisters, Anita Barnes (the Rev. Harry), Daisy Briggs Aldridge and Jeanette Briggs Marable (Tony); daughters, Deana Briggs Nelson (Rex), Erika Briggs, Maya Briggs, Candace Grooms and Corrin Grooms; grandchild, Kevin Nelson (Jada); great-grandchildren, Adonai and Asiana; nieces, Jamie Briggs Jackson (Ron), Juanita Brooks and Nnena Enechukwu; nephews, John Briggs Jr., Joe Brooks Jr., Wade M. Briggs, Javon Brooks, Roy Briggs and Michael J. Aldridge; great-nieces, Jazmin (Todd, Toddy and Jayce) and Sharde and Daizha; great-nephews, Wade and Jason; and a host of family and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, John and James; and nephew, Vester Marable.

Published 10.19.21