Bill Marcus Ennis, Sr.

Bill Marcus Ennis, Sr. Resident of Walnut Creek, California Born on August 7, 1944 Died on April 19, 2016 After a long and arduous battle with COPD, Bill passed away on Tuesday morning with his wife by his side. Bill was much beloved in his church and community. His impish and quirky sense humor quickly won peoples hearts. He had a wide variety of interests and talents-- his favorite was working with model trains. But he was also an avid jazz lover and was a talented drummer. In his youth he used to race mini race cars. He was also a Vietnam veteran. After his army service he settled in to the family business and helped run the three stores in Fresno, Ca, Ennis Fine China and Crystal, with his father until he took over the business in the 1980s. From his business, he learned to appreciate fine china and crystal and it became a lifelong habit to identify dinnerware patterns wherever he was invited as a guest for dinner. He was Grand Master of the Las Palmas Masonic Lodge in Fresno, California. He married and had two sons, Marc Ennis, Jr. and Scott Ennis. The couple divorced and Bill raised his two sons until they were old enough to make their own way. In 2001, he married the Rev. Sylvia Vsquez and for 15 years, supported her ministry with grace and joy. His easygoing manner made him a favorite during fellowship hour after church and in the many community organizations with which he was involved. It was hard to resist that impish smile, raucous jokes and lighthearted laughter. His wife, stepson Sergio, his sons, and the people of the church loved him. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, the Rev. Sylvia Vasquez, his sons, Marc Ennis, Scott Ennis, daughter in law, Mary Carol Johnston Ennis, and grandchildren Joshua Ennis and Annabelle Ennis. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 11am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek. Memorial gifts to the church are encouraged in lieu of flowers. Celebration of Life Saturday, April 23, 2016 11:00 am St. Paul's Episcopal church 1924 Trinity Avenue Walnut Creek CALIFORNIA 94596 Private Interment