William "Bill" Enz
Autumn Melnarik
Ms. Handrich
Leadership
December 11, 2016
My Grandpa
I have the extraordinary honor of writing this paper in honor of my grandpa, Bill Enz. He was born in 1954, to Florence and Lloyd Enz. He was born in Manitowoc County and has seven siblings, one of which is deceased.
He grew up in Maribel on an eighty acre farm. They did not have a lot of money, but they had a lot of love for each other and never went hungry. To this day he says the best things in life are free. He and my grandma live on his home farm that they purchased from my great grandma.
He is proud to be a church board member, military man, husband, farmer, and father of seven beautiful daughters. One of which is my mother Brenda. I see my grandpa giving grace at mealtimes, ushering at church every Sunday, and praying for others on his prayer chain.
A joy filled hard working man who is well known amongst many. The way he expresses his love for Christ, farming his fields, loving and protecting his people, and cherishing the life God gave him through warm smiles and laughs has taught me many values. He teaches me to enjoy what life has given to you, even life's challenges.
In 1967, at the age of seventeen, my grandpa enlisted in the Army. He served two years in the Vietnam War. I am sure these were some of the most terrifying horrific moments of his life. At times I am sure he wishes he could forget the things he saw and did, but yet he does not want this war to be forgotten. He says wars never end, no matter how many years have passed. After the service, getting married, starting a family, and while working full time he went to college full time under the GI bill. He holds an associate degree in business management. I think this is why I attend high school, college, and work two jobs. He taught me if I want something I need to work for it.
The military is of big importance in his life. All five of his father’s brothers fought in WWII. He said his father was not allowed to go, he had stay behind to help on the farm.The four brothers served in the same Army platoon. My family tree has hundreds of Military Veterans.
My maternal uncle, Jeremy Boushka an Air Force Iraq Freedom War Veteran. Merlin Melnarik my father (John’s) dad a Navy Veteran.He has taught me to treat our military servicemen and servicewomen with respect and very seriously. I have absolutely no patience for disrespectful remarks or actions made against veterans by students or adults. I bring it upon myself to show zero tolerance for inappropriate actions towards the military people who provided me freedom. I know freedom comes at the highest costs, it is never free.
Family is of big importance, in his heart. Raised from my wonderful great grandmother, whom I was given the honor to know. She told me to stay away from the boys, they are nothing but trouble until you are older. I smile as I think about her now, as she died three years ago. During her good days she would tell me about her childhood as we played Skip-Boo on the kitchen table so she could look out the window at the birds. She was the women who taught my grandpa to live life with a hoot and a holler, he in turn has taught me. She is now my angel watching over my family and myself. I see her when I look at him.
Blessed with a wonderful wife and seven girls who gave him twenty beautiful grandchildren, he knows what God has given him. Now retired my grandparents take my younger cousins and watch them during the day, as they did for me. As a child my mom worked in a paper mill factory. I remember waking up in the morning and driving to grandma and grandpa's house so they could help us dress and get ready for school. This was never a bad thing because we made pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. I believe this was time well spent. My mother says family is the most valuable gifts. She has always made a point to bring us to our grandparents and great grandparents homes, so we knew where we came from.
After retiring from the operating engineers he decided to create his own business in addition to his hobby farm. He owns Enz Custom Combining. This last year he built a new shed. He also donated barn boards to the amish as he was building his new one.
As a part of the Class of 2016 this is a milestone year for me. I will be graduating high school, becoming confirmed, and continuing college. It is hard to believe time went by so fast. I can still remember when I was little, watching the packer games on my grandpa’s lap. Him carrying me over his shoulder, being tickled while I laughed hysterically. Riding shotgun on our family hayrides. Countless memories made me who I am and I hope for so many more life lessons and memories with him.
Submitted by Anonymous
