William (Bill) Stark Ensign
William (Bill) Stark Ensign departed this life on February 26, 2013. He was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on May 7, 1924. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. Ensign and Lenore Stark Ensign. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Campbell Ensign; and four children, Margaret Massey-Cox of Powell, Tenn., Jeannie Ensign and husband, Jack Kreyling of Farragut, Lee Ensign of Knoxville, and William E. Ensign and his wife Renee Speenburgh of Marietta, Ga. He has five grandchildren, Micah Leinenweber, Courtney Cox Bemus, Jennifer Cox, Laurel Ensign-Simmons, Molly Ensign-Simmons; and one great-grandchild, Kylen Reed. He attended public schools in Chattanooga and graduated from McCallie Preparatory School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy for three years during WWII. He attended the University of South Carolina and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served an internship with University Associates of La Jolla, Calif. He was also a Master Gardner. Mr. Ensign was employed by Combustion Engineering as administrator for the Nuclear Components Division. He retired from TVA as head of Manpower Training and Employee Development in the Office of Power after 27 years of service. He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, where he and his wife served as ordained elders. Mr. Ensign also served as a commissioner to the 1970 Presbyterian General Assembly. He and his wife moved to the Shannondale Retirement Center in 2002, and since then have been members of the Shannondale Faith Community. Mr. Ensign’s deep sense of social justice motivated his involvement in numerous community and civic affairs. He served on the board of Chattanooga City College and after retirement he and his wife consulted with several nonprofit organizations concerning organization effectiveness, including Habitat for Humanity, Family and Children Services and Venture 2000. He also used his gardening skills by working with inner-city schools establishing flower and vegetable gardens to pass on his passion for gardening. There will be a celebration of life service in the Shannondale Retirement chapel on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church, 4791 Hal Drive, Chattanooga, TN, 37416 or Shannondale Faith Community, 804 Shannondale Way, Maryville, TN., 37803. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, http://www.SmithMaryville.com
