William Gene Evans, “Billy Gene” as his mother often called him, was born on December 17, 1928, in Yellville, Arkansas. He was the only son of Euna and Guy Evans, now deceased. In 1936 the family moved to Washington State. He and his sister Joanne attended grade school at the old Marcus Whitman school, on Naches Heights. Bill graduated from Highland High School in 1947. He lettered in basketball and baseball 1945, 1946, & 1947. An exceptional basketball player, he received a scholarship to play ball at Gonzaga University.
He met and married Jeannette Brulotte on November 29, 1947. Together they raised five children: Vicki Loges, Gregory Evans, Timothy Evans, Julie Ann Evans and Jon Evans. He was preceded in death by his two sons: Greg and Tim.
As a young couple they started farming in 1949 on a 10 acre orchard. In conjunction with his parents, Euna and Guy, Bill and Jeannette built their first warehouse in 1959. Their very first employees were family members and neighbors, who were also fruit growers.
Those are the facts about the early years of Bill’s life but they do not reveal the young man or who that young man would become. Even though his formal education ended early, Bill continuously sought to improve his knowledge. He was always curious about how and why and seeking information from outside sources as well as his own experiences. Bill looked at a problem like a Rubik’s cube, examining all sides and turning it around in his mind until he could see through the problem to the best possible solution. Bill believed in the power of more, more land, more trees, more apples and more challenges. Bill was an alchemist who would mix land, trees, water and sunshine to create the magic of apples, which he sold all over the world.
William G. Evans was one the first to recognize rock buttes as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. Sagebrush to him was merely untapped potential. He loved driving those big earth moving pieces of equipment that allowed him to shape the land as he envisioned it.
He seldom traveled far from eastern Washington, because he was too busy exploring the abundance of opportunity here. Bill was always excited by the challenge of the impossible to create something where previously nothing existed and to leave everything better than he found it.
On November 29, 2016 Bill and Jeannette marked the 69th year of their journey together. She was his partner in life as well as in business. As a young father and husband he worked hard and played hard too. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and taking his sons with him on these adventures. Family outings were water skiing in the summer and later snowmobiling in the winter. Even at play he sought to excel. He personified the biblical admonishment “whatever you put your hand to, give it also your heart.”
Bill had a beautiful smile that lit up his blue eyes. His long legs could carry him across an irrigation canal in one leap. He led by example, work hard and then work harder. He inspired those who lived and work with him to do their best and to be their best.
He loved his wife. He loved his family and friends. He loved his work. The absence of Bill’s presence leaves a void in many hearts. Jesus called Bill home on December 6, 2016 to say Good Job Bill! Good Job!
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home with a vigil starting at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2016 at Holy Family Church. A private family committal will follow the services at Bill’s final resting place next to his sons, Tim and Greg, at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Moxee, WA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bill’s name to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association, c/o Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. To share a memory of Bill visit www.lepfuneralhome.
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