Evelyn Louise Williams

Her strong mind and will to live had to accept what her body was saying – “I am too tired and cannot stay any longer”. As recently as 2 days earlier, she was at the company office and ‘out and about’ with her close friend Gloria, taking care of business.

Evelyn was born in Glendale, California, August 1, 1924, to John Edward and Verena Molitor Shafer. Evie’s parents sought out California, coming from Ohio and Wisconsin in 1922. The family owned a farm in Riverside. During WWII, she studied business at Los Angeles State College and worked at United Concrete Pipe in accounts payable. The Company was building ‘LST’ Landing craft for the War. She married Tom Williams, a native of Oxnard, in 1947. In 1955, they moved from Arcadia and settled in Ventura County, she cherished her Ventura home. During the 1950’s, Tom and Evie ‘patented’ a 5 acre ‘Jackrabbit Homestead’ in Sky Valley. They built a ‘Rock House’ – with a large fire place, stone by stone. It became the family gathering place. In 1961, Tom and ‘Queenie’ founded Petrolog Geological Well Logging Company. After Tom passed away in 1990, she and her son John co-managed the company. She was full time at Petrolog for 45 years and then she gradually transitioned-mentoring her granddaughter in the business, Scarlett Williams.

Evelyn loved the Lakers and knew all the tennis players by name. She beautifully collected U.S. stamps from the 30’s-90’s. Each week she meticulously clipped coupons from the Sunday ‘Star’ and mailed them to several special recipients. In years past she was a regular at Bingo. Just recently she addressed and mailed 2015 New Year ‘Shutter Fly’ photo cards to family and friends, proclaiming great-granddaughter Grace. Evelyn loved her family. She was always actively thinking, analyzing and giving.

Evelyn is survived by her son, John T. Williams, and daughter-in-law; Cynthia Brown Williams, of Ventura; three grandchildren and one great grandchild, Addison Tully Williams and Scarlett Victoria Williams of Ventura; Heath R.M. Williams and Alisa Garcia Williams and great-daughter, Grace Valentine Williams, all of Bakersfield. Evelyn’s extended family include: Myrna Weed Brown, of Ventura, G. Scott Brown of Santa Paula, and Carol Ann Brown, of Lee Vining. Evelyn was the youngest of the five Shafer siblings. She is survived by her brother Donald Shafer and his wife Carol, of Glendora. She was preceded in passing by her brother ‘Jack’ Shafer and twin sisters, Marjorie Jacobson and Marian English. Her immediate surviving nieces and nephews include: 9 Jacobsons; 5 Shafers; 2 Englishes; and 4 Furys; living throughout California, Alaska, Montana and New Zealand. She had a blessed life.

Visitation will take place on Monday, March 30th, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, at 2:00pm at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, followed by a dinner reception. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ventura, 2:00pm, followed by dinner-reception at the Williams home.

Evelyn loved flowers and we will graciously receive them for the services. If you are so moved, please donate to the newly founded, Trinity Lutheran Church Remembrance Garden, 196 N. Ashwood Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003; make donations to the attention of John Crowley.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.