William J. "Bill" Enos, a Sacramento baseball figure who was a standout player at Rio Americano High School, died Friday of complications related to an enlarged heart, his family said. He was 44.
Mr. Enos was a top hitter at Rio Americano, where his .500 average in his senior year in 1986 tied for top spot in the Sacramento area. His total average, including league play, was over .600 the same year.
Recruited by Santa Clara University, he served as baseball team captain and was chosen most valuable player. He was named twice to all-conference teams.
Mr. Enos belonged to a family of Sacramento baseball stars. His father, Bill Sr., was a top player at Christian Brothers High School and 2006 inductee of the La Salle Club Baseball Hall of Fame. His grandfather, Elmer, coached the Southside American Legion team.
William J. Enos, who also played basketball at Rio Americano, succeeded in sports through "extremely hard work," his father said. At 12, he studied major league batting coach Charley Lau's book on hitting "and read it over and over, probably more than his textbooks," his father said.
Born Aug. 23, 1968, Mr. Enos grew up in the Arden Park neighborhood and earned an economics degree from Santa Clara University.
He played on local baseball teams after college and was an outfield coach at Sacramento State. He served two years as league president and was a manager and coach for Carmichael Girls Softball.
He was a manager at a printing industry firm and previously worked as a sales representative for a San Francisco business form company.
Mr. Enos is survived by his wife of 19 years, Jennifer, of Carmichael; daughters, Natalie, Sarah and Shannon of Carmichael; parents, Bill and Sally of Arden Park; brother, Mark of Arden Park; and sister, Karen of Sacramento.
Viewing is set for 5 to 7 p.m. today at Lind Brothers Funeral Home, 4221 Manzanita Ave., Carmichael. A funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 5057 Cottage Way, Carmichael.
Donations may be made to a college fund for Mr. Enos' children at any branch of Golden 1 Credit Union.
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