William Joseph Ennis Obituary

LEESBURG, FLORIDA -William Joseph “Bill” Ennis, 94, passed away on June 22, 2024. He was born on February 1, 1930 to John Dillard Ennis and Florence (Dodge) Ennis in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was a 1947 graduate of Wiley High School where he enjoyed track and field. He went on to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with the ROTC program and graduated in 1953 with a degree in civil engineering.

He served in the Army in Germany during the Cold War and piloted both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He continued to serve in the reserves into the 1960’s and reached the rank of captain.

On returning to Terre Haute, Bill helped run Guarantee Roofing (27 years) and Ennis Realty (37 years) with this father and brother, Jack. He was also a certified home inspector and his latter working years was a church sexton.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish and forage. His family have fond memories of exotic mushrooms and forest foods he brought home for his family to eat. Golf was also a passion. His card playing was impressive even into his 90’s.

He served on Terre Haute’s City Council for 6 years with 3 years as its president and received a good government award for his work.

As he was able, he spent many of his retirement years assisting neighbors with small home repairs for those who were unable to do so themselves. Maintaining his long association with classmates from both Wiley and Rose, a joy of his was to come back for reunions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his son, Chuck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Marie (Lenges) Ennis of Terre Haute; his two children from his first marriage: William James “Seamus” (Tia), and Tom (Lessa); seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor may be made to the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at:
http://www.echovita.com