William Patrick Enxing

William P. Enxing William (Bill) Enxing, also known as "Wild Bill" or "Bill Enxing The Great" or "GB" or "The Guy", was an aviator his entire adult life and always referred to death as setting a heading of 270 west. On Saturday morning, November 19th, 2022, Bill set a heading of 270 west, with what even he would have to agree, seemed as perfect a take-off as you could have. He was at home, surrounded by his wife, his family and the presence of love and grace from near and far. While born the only child of the late William George and Nellie Enxing (Lynch) on August 22, 1932 in Detroit, MI, Bill lived his life possessing an extraordinary charisma and twinkle in his eye, which attracted people, both young and old, and especially if they were fellow aviators. After attending University of Detroit Jesuit high school and college, setting the foundation for a lifelong compulsion to correct his children and grandchildren's grammar, his education was interrupted to join the Army, serving in the Army Security Agency. While stationed at the U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station, Two Rock Ranch, Petaluma, CA, Bill met his first love, aviation. Bill earned his wings, on July 4th, 1956 after soloing in April in an Aeronica Champ, flying out of the Marin County, CA, Airport. This would be a love affair that would last his lifetime. Bill earned multiple aviation ratings, was a charter member of the Cessna 180 Club, was an FAA Safety Counselor, attended nearly every Oshkosh airshow, was inducted as a proud member of the QB's - Chicago Hangar, including time as Governor, received an FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award after 50+ years of flying, and perhaps most important, built a lifetime of friendship, joy and learning with the "good men and women and their flying machines." Following his discharge from the A.S.A., Bill returned to Detroit in 1956, and while at a ski dance, he meet the love of his life, Joyce, who for the last 65 years has been the glue to his glitter. Following an opportunity to open a new sales territory for Alloy Steel, Bill and Joyce moved to the Chicago-land area and started a family while he built a life-long career in the steel business, even starting his own company, Cardinal Metals Inc., at the age of 50, which he ran for 25 years. Growing up in our father's household meant no elbows on the table, always look people in the eye, shake hands like you mean it, and if there were belt loops, to wear a belt. But it also meant everyone earned a nickname, daily bear hugs, a house full of friends, never turning down an ice-cream, and weekends going to the airport, with summers spent knocking down waves in a Boston Whaler on Lake Michigan. Bill also reveled in cheering for the Green Bay Packers, especially when they played the "little sisters of the poor" otherwise known as the Chicago Bears. In 2010, Bill and Joyce moved to Edina, MN, and while he never became a Vikings fan, he did quickly connect to new friendships, new aviators, kind neighbors, going "Up North" and especially time with his three grandchildren as his favorite role of all was as "GB". To the end Bill believed your "attitude determines your altitude", Skippy was better than Jiff, and as with so many of his generation, that you must "POR" (Press On Regardless). Missing him in all ways is his wife of what would have been 59 years this 12/28/22, Margaret Joyce Enxing (Rogers). Left missing his sharp wit and aviation stories, are his three children Stacy Enxing Seng (Peter Seng) of Edina, MN, Michael Enxing (Amy Enxing) of Naples, FL and Lisa Enxing (Jordan West) of New York, NY. Left missing his bear hugs and bursting pride are Maximillian Enxing (Rachael Enxing), St. Petersburg, FL, Alexis Enxing, Paradise Valley, AZ and Eric Seng, Durham, NC. Bill asked for a private family memorial and in lieu of flowers, Bill would most like you to share a cup of coffee with a friend, look up to the sky and marvel in the magic of flight, and take a listen to "My Way" (Willie Nelson version) and Artie Shaw's "Begin the Beguine". And if you wish to make a donation on his behalf, please support our military, whether active or a veteran, or an aspiring aviator. Wheels up.

Tributes

William Patrick Enxing

August 22, 1932 - November 19, 2022

Tributes

William Patrick Enxing

August 22, 1932 - November 19, 2022

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