EVANS

William Plummer “Billy” Evans, 87, peacefully passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, April 5, at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson.

Born on March 26, 1927, he moved with his family to Stewart Evans Road in the Plainview Community in 1936, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He will be remembered for his great faith in the Lord, his devotion to his wife, daughters and grandchildren, and his love of the land he farmed for over 70 years.

At age 18 he was drafted into service by the United States Army and served in the Aleutian Island Campaign in the Alaskan Territory until the end of World War II. His brief service in the U.S. military was one of his proudest endeavors, and his patriotism was exhibited by his riding in the annual Bogalusa Fourth of July parade with other veterans and faithfully attending the Franklinton High School Veteran’s Day program each year. He was also grateful to fly to Washington, D.C. in 2012 as part of the Honor Flight to visit the World War II Memorial.

Prior to his illness he always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens and especially loved traveling the Great Smokey Mountains with his family. He was retired from Crown Zellerbach’s Multiwall Division and was a member of Mt. Zion United Pentecostal Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Helen Simmons Evans; his parents, Charlie and Vada Mizell Evans; a son-in-law, Billy Ray Rester Jr.; and a grandson, Billy Ray Rester III.

He is survived by four daughters, Donna Bowman, Lisa Thomas, Toni (Jeff) Tageant and Paula Rester; five grandchildren, Meghan (Mark) Thomas Alsobrooks, Ashley Bowman, Leslie (Chaz) Piazza, Evan Tageant and Clayton Tageant; and three great-grandchildren, Blayne Bowman, Mason William Bowman and Cade Piazza. He is also survived by two brothers, Woodrow (Nell) Evans of Zachary and Leroy (Shirley) Evans of Bogalusa; a sister, Betty Jean Schilling of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Visitation was held Tuesday, April 8 from 5-8 p.m. at Mt. Zion United Pentecostal Church, Lee Road, Franklinton, and will resume Wednesday from 9 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Leon Hickman officiating. Interment will follow at Mizell Family Cemetery, with full military rights conducted by American Legion Magic City Post 24.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mt. Zion UPC.

Brown-McGehee Funeral Home, Bogalusa, is in charge of all arrangements.