William (Bull) Joseph Eneas Jr., our beloved son, husband, father, grand- father, brother and friend, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, surrounded by his family. Bull was the third of 13 children, born Aug. 27, 1950, to William and Betty (White) Eneas.
He was raised in Spalding, where he learned how to fish with grandpa James White. He cherished living in the Spalding area, swimming by the wooden floating raft made by family and jumping off the top of the Spalding Bridge as a young boy. He lived with various relatives as he was growing up. He loved fishing and catching bass, then selling them to the local folks so he could take his brothers, sisters and cousins to Watsons Store to buy them all candy; he especially loved rock candy.
He attended Lapwai High School and graduated in 1968, then enrolled at the University of Idaho, studying physical education. While at UI, he was a "walk on" for the Vandals football team in the open field. He was an avid fan of Idaho Vandals sports, especially football and basketball games at the Kibbie Dome indoors. He also attended Lewis-Clark State College basketball games.
In 1969, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and was in the Vietnam campaign until 1973. While in service, he earned medals for Service in the Republic of Vietnam, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Distinguished Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. He also wore the Parachutist Badge, Expert Rifleman's Badge and Fourragere of the 82nd Division.
During his high school years (1967-68), he was employed by the National Parks Service. After returning from his Army service, he became an employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northern Idaho Agency for 42 years (1972-2015), performing duties that included facilities and road maintenance, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, water system maintenance and painting. He had special qualifications as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, welder and in operation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs fire truck. After returning home from service, he also met his love, Cheryl Lee Slickpoo. They were together 38 years and started their family at the northern Idaho ground where his two sons, William J. Eneas III, born 1978, and Robert C. Eneas, Sr., born 1979, were raised. While living at the agency grounds, both older boys would ride on the grader with their dad during the winter, plowing the snowy streets and operating heavy equipment, as well as repairing tribal roads on the tribal reserves.
They then moved to Lolo Street in Lapwai, where they currently reside, and another "surprise," Joseph W. Eneas, was born in 2002. He also had a daughter, Joey Lynn, from a previous relationship.
Bull loved running from Lapwai to the Spalding area and back, which he did after his military service. He also loved traveling to softball tournaments, coaching the girls on the "Stevens Farms" team and won three Indian National titles.
Bull's dream was for Lapwai youth to have a baseball complex, and he tried working with various individuals to present to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. So far this has not happened. Let's keep the dream alive for Bull and continue to pursue this for our youth. Also, he wanted to have a fish restoration project ongoing for the Lapwai Creek area.
William is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cheryl; his sons, Robert (April) and Joseph; granddaughters Antoinette and Kira Eneas; grandsons Robert Jr., Zachariah and Chase Eneas; sisters Deborah (Tune) TwoHatchet, Robin Jones, Kimberly Bryant, Pamela Eneas, Melissa Berry and Felicia (Darrel) Freouf, all of Lapwai; and brothers Paul (Cindy) Burrows of Lewiston, Greg (Jackie) Eneas of Lapwai and Gary (Eva) Draper of Henderson, Nev.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James and Eva White; paternal grandparents Paul Ambro and Louise Pinkham; parents William Eneas Sr. and Betty Corbett; his children, Joey Lynn Eneas and William Eneas III; grandchild Gabriel Eneas; and siblings Wilma Jean Eneas, Paula Lincoln and Anthony Draper.
Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center. Burial will follow at the tribal cemetery with dinner also at community building.
"Fish on," "Fumble," "Foots on the line," "Go Seahawks!"
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, January 24, 10:00 AM
- Location
-
Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center
99 Agency Rd.
Lapwai, ID 83540
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