SUNNY BRIGGS

n 1955, Sunny Briggs was 12 years old. While other children his age were doing normal kid things, he was well on his way to becoming an accomplished mate. Briggs would hitch a ride every morning from his home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, with Capt. Lee Perry to fish on . He then worked for Capt. Omie Tillett, who took the young man under his wing. Soon, Briggs was building boats alongside Sheldon Midgett, Buddy Davis, Billy Holton and Buddy Cannady. After building a few boats with Tillett, and with his blessing, Briggs was ready to start his own. Now at 78, with 60 boats on the water from 35 to 70 feet, it’s time