Bill “Billy” Frank Evans, 83, passed away on May 26, 2023, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He was born on July 12, 1939, in Mountainair, New Mexico. He served in the USMC from 1957 to 1964.
Bill was the ultimate handyman, who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. Whether it was a leaky faucet or a broken heart, he had a solution for everything (even if it didn’t work all the time). He was a real cat lady (but don’t tell him we said that), who made sure every feline in town had a full belly. He was a master storyteller, who could spin a yarn so tall you wouldn’t believe it, but that was half the fun. He along with his late wife was the glue that held his family together, always there with a joke or a listening ear.
He and Judith met in April of 1968; he was a single dad with 4 children. Three weeks later he and Judith were married on May 9, 1968, and had two daughters. Together they raised 5 children and 1 raised by his grandparents. They lived their lives together until Judith passed away in March 2021. Talking about a love story, they had a relationship where the odds were against them, but their love stood the test of time.
Bill was a hardworking man who spent most of his lifetime working as a machinist in the oil and steel industry. He also worked for the sheriff’s department in the 70s and was a security guard at Three Flags for the last 20 years, among many other jobs. He liked to stay busy and worked full-time until the age of 81.
Bill is survived by his children, son Leigh Evans, daughters Pamela Evans, Lawanda Dunn-Pelton, Katherine Barok and husband Robert, Leslie Lay and husband Shawn. 14 grandchildren: Tia, Carl, Kenny, Janis, Bethany, Christina, Melissa, Leigh Jr, Michael Ryan, Kaci, Courtney, Victoria, Michael Paul and Andrew. 15 great-grandchildren: Tatum, Bishop, Kloey, Paizley, Jonathan, Lydia, Leo, Dean, Jordan, Ty, Harley, Carly, Nichole, Carl Jr and Kaylee. He is also survived by his brother Terry Evans and other extended family that he held dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judith Evans, his twin brother William Evans, his mother Cynthia Hopkins Guynn, his father Roy Joseph Guynn, his biological father James R Evans, his son Billy Evans Guynn and 2 grandsons Joseph Barok and Daniel Shattuck.
A viewing will be held at Green Hill Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 5 pm to 7 pm, and the service will take place on Thursday, June 1st, 2023, at 2 pm at Green Hill Funeral Home in the Chapel located at 400 East Teel Rd in Sapulpa. Bill worshipped at the Lee & Walnut Church of Christ in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where he always kept the faith.
Rest in peace, Bill. You were a true legend, a DIY maverick, a cat whisperer, and a champion of family values. You built a life full of love and laughter, and we know you’ve gone on to bigger and better things (probably fixing the pearly gates as we speak). We’ll miss you more than words can say, but we’ll keep your spirit alive with every leaky pipe we fix, every cat we pet, and every tall tale we tell.
