In
Memoriam: Willie Enoch
Died June
11, 2000, on death row
The following was written by Mary
Enoch, Willie’s wife:
Willie was born in Mississippi and grew up on a cotton plantation
in Sumner, where his parents were sharecroppers. He was one of 13
children. His father was shot and killed by an in-law when Willie
was a toddler, and he grew up hating his abusive stepfather. He left
home at the age of 13, supporting himself by doing odd jobs for affluent
white folk. Using a falsified birth certificate, he joined the army
at the age of 16. But his dream of a military career was dashed when
he was convicted of a felony while on leave in Chicago.
Willie loved competitive sports and learned to box while still living
at home. The plantation owner proudly sponsored him in local competitions.
Although short in stature, he also enjoyed basketball. One of the
highlights of his life on death row was participating in the annual
play-offs with other inmates – an activity that was banned in
later years.
Willie loved to sing church music and was an avid student of the Bible.
But his two greatest passions were the law, which he studied diligently
to assist his lawyers in proving his innocence, and art, which was
the only thing that could transport him beyond the narrow confines
of his death row cell. After the death of his mother, the persons
most significant to Willie were three fellow death row inmates: his
mentor and “father figure” William Bracy, and his adopted
“sons” Anton Brown and Tony Dameron. It was Mr. Bracy who
inspired Willie’s scripture study and who taught him oil painting
techniques. Willie used every opportunity to pass on his knowledge
to serious students in the inmate population.
From his life in the free world, Willie seemed to miss most his family,
the brothers and sisters who were largely scattered, and the rural
Mississippi lifestyle. When confronted with the possibility of living
in the Chicago area with a house-full of pets after regaining his
freedom, Willie would hasten to add that he planned to train the dogs
to sit around the table in chairs (!), and build a smoke-house out
back.
