William E Encinosa Jr.

William Edward Encinosa Jr. passed away on September 9, 2024, in Wesley Chapel, FL. He was born and raised in Tampa, FL where he attended Plant High School. There he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball and was honored as the 1956 Guy Toph Award recipient, recognized as the top prep football athlete in Hillsborough County. William was also inducted into the Plant High School Football Hall of Fame. He then went on to the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship, followed by four years of dedicated service to our country in the United States Air Force. After the service, William had a successful 30-year career as a Computer Systems Field Engineer for Mohawk Data Sciences in Tampa.

On January 23, 1965, he married his best friend and beautiful soulmate Elinor “Becky” Efird of Lakeland, FL after meeting her while she was in nursing school in Tampa. They had three children: Bill, Laura, and Leslie. William was a dedicated husband and father and always worked hard to ensure his kids got a college education. He was an avid sports fan and loved playing golf as well as taking his boat out on the Hillsborough River for a peaceful day of fishing. In retirement, he stayed busy planning trips around the country and overseas with Becky to explore unfamiliar places. When at home he enjoyed working outdoors and keeping the house fixed up, reading, solving crossword puzzles while referencing the latest dictionary, and spending time spoiling his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren (sometimes with his favorite dark chocolate candy). William was a family man and devoted Christian, finding much joy in worship, service, and fellowship at church. As a Deacon, he helped many widows and families in crisis, teaching his family the importance of love and empathy for others.

William is preceded in death by his parents William Edward Encinosa Sr. and Lottie Register.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years Elinor Efird Encinosa; brothers Charlie Encinosa and Rev. Tim Encinosa (Karen) of Tampa, FL; son Dr. Bill Encinosa (Dr. Kyung Moon) of Bethesda, MD; daughter Laura Jones (Kyle) of Valrico, FL; and daughter Leslie Bridges (Jay) of Land O’ Lakes, FL. In addition, William was blessed with two nieces, three nephews, twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will take place at 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 29th at West Shore Baptist Church, 305 N Manhattan Ave, Tampa FL, 33609. Friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of William can be made to West Shore Baptist Church Tampa.