William Brome Ennis

William (Bill) Brome Ennis passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida. Bill was born on May 4, 1933, in Utica, NY. His family moved to Holly Hill, Florida when he was young. Bill attended Clemson University, where he earned his B.S. in textile engineering. While at Clemson, he was set-up on a blind date with Ann. They quickly fell for one another, were married in 1956, and began building their family shortly thereafter. Following graduation, Bill served in the U.S. Army working as a cryptographer, where he had the unique opportunity of being one of the first Americans to hear the Sputnik launch. After his military service, Bill and Ann settled their family in Orlando, Florida, where they raised their three daughters. While working as a civilian at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Bill’s engineering career led him to working on significant military missile programs including Pershing, Sergeant, and Nike Zeus, and designing flight simulators for the Navy. In their golden years, Bill and Ann relocated to Tallahassee to be nearer to their family. Bill and Ann were active members of Freedom Church. For Bill, Clemson football and NASCAR weren't just pastimes; they were lifelong passions. He was proud of being known for always wearing Clemson orange. Bill’s favorite meals were shrimp and grits from Jonah’s in Thomasville, or a Bradley’s sausage dog, which he especially enjoyed while in a rocking chair on the store’s front porch. Bill's legacy lives on through his family. He was preceded in passing by his beloved wife of 61 years, Elizabeth (Ann) Ann Mays Ennis (Ann), and his parents, Fred Ennis and Jessie Brome Ennis. He is survived by his daughters, Erin Ennis (Brad Hollis), Laura Turco (Michael Turco), and Betsy Ennis-Short (Jeff Short); grandchildren, Leslee Erminger, Alden Enlow, Cody Short (Taylor Anne Short), and Madison Short; and great-grandchildren, Sarah and Ben Boldman, and Mary Elizabeth and Cameron Short. Bill was affectionately called “Boppa” or “Bop” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at the Villas at Killearn Lakes and Mulligan Park. Their unwavering love and care for Bill over the last several years have been a source of comfort and peace to the entire Ennis family. Services will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 1pm, at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. In lieu of traditional floral tributes, memorial contributions can be made to the Freedom Church of Tallahassee’s building fund (https://freedomchurch.life/give), Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s Foundation (https://www.tmh.org/tmh-foundation/donate/), or to the Clemson University Foundation https://iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving/giving-to-clemson?id=de0f6414-f154-42fc-80c4-4427351c7d85. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the Ennis family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193)

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William Brome Ennis

May 4, 1933 - October 17, 2023