Name: Bisch & Son Funeral Home
Address: Springfield, IL

He was my favorite teacher at Springfield high school.  I miss him.

Dear Joyce and family…. I extend my deepest sympathies on Bill's passing. He was always full of love, life and knowledge in everything he did.  His sense of family and its heritage was a lesson to all. My mother (Eleanor Klinger Starkey) was Bills cousin. It was so cool at SHS to have him in History!  God Bless and hold his memories close!  Love to you all….  Kent Starkey

Dear Joyce and Anne and Bill Evans family,
Thank you for sharing all the photos and memories.  I'm Bill's cousin- his grandmother Ada Bell was my aunt.  I have so many memories of Bill.  He played the piano at my wedding in 1951.  He was only age 13.  Our families were close.  We had a Danks family reunion every year in Altamont, Illinois.  The Danks family consisted of 13 brothers and sisters so there were many cousins.  I send my condolences to your family.  Bill was a wonderful friend and cousin.  I loved listening to him talk about antiques.  Love, Gladys Shipman

Mr. Evans was my American History teacher at Springfield High School, in 1966 and he was an inspiration to me and awakened an appreciation for history and how the past shapes our present world.

Joyce and Anne,

I have so many memories of you & Bill.  You were neighbors, friends of the family, and I had the honor of having Bill as a teacher. His sense of humor will truly be missed. 
 May your memories help you through this time of sorrow.

I'm so sorry to read of Bill's passing. We had many conversations at SHS. Some these were  about school ( "No free lunch in ...") , some about antiques, many about our mothers. Bill was one of the GOOD Guys!
Fondly,
John

Bill was an outstanding teacher and a long-time family friend. He had a great sense of humor, livened up every room he entered, and was a heck of a storyteller. People like Bill don’t come along often in life. He will be missed. Rest in peace.

Johnathan, Mandy, Maggie, Lydia Wallis

Heartfelt sympathy, caring thoughts, prayers. Special angel. Cherished memories. Wishing the family and friends: a song in your hearts; sunshine after the clouds; a rainbow after the rain. Peace.

I was so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I've known him for many years, and his kindness and humanity was well known by all of us. We'll miss him terribly.

My parents were friends of Bill's, but I was lucky enough to have him as a high school student at Springfield High School. Unlike many of the other classes, we all enjoyed Mr. Evans' class.  He made it fun. He had plenty of information for us, but he also told jokes and stories. He made learning a pleasure, and we felt comfortable in his classroom. In contrast to other instructors, we never felt that Mr. Evans was against us. He wanted to help us learn. His enthusiasm for social studies also enabled that process. Maybe it wasn't our favorite subject, but he was our favorite teacher for it.

I've had the pleasure to see Bill and his lovely wife many times since high school. The very last time I saw him, however, shows what a wonderful and supportive person he was. I had the chance to do a reading of my book Carillon Chase, set largely in Springfield, during the 2022 festival for the Thomas-Rees Memorial Carillon. Even though Bill was having a bit of trouble walking at that time, he and Joyce took the trouble to come to the event. As always, they showed kind and loving support. I was honored by their presence.

As a teacher myself, I can only hope to show my students a fraction of the attention that Mr. Evans showed us. As one of the good ones, may he rest in deserved peace.

Bill was everyone’s favorite teacher, but I also had the privilege to teach with him as well.  He had the SHS staff laughing even more than he did when he was my teacher. What a fantastic life he led.  Ann I know you must take great comfort knowing how much your dad was adored! RIP

WE will all miss Bill.  His presence was always a pleasure and his sense of humor was appreciated.  Many parties and festivities were made more pleasurable by his added perspectives and insights.         John Ransdell

Dear Evans family,

Bill and I had several things in common.  First, we celebrated our birthdays on the same date, although he was my senior by about a decade.   Most importantly, Bill was my social studies teacher at Springfield High (SHS) in the 60s.

I remember doing very well in his class.  Granted, I love history and politics.  So, I studied more prodigiously in his class than in others.  But Bill's love of his subject was inspiring and his excitement when teaching was palpable.  Unless you absolutely hated history, you could not help but be swept up in his enthusiastic demeanor.   

Bill ran a tight ship and I do not remember him ever having disciplinary problems with his pupils.  He was an exacting but fair grader.  You got out of his course what you put into it.  Mr. Evans made history and politics exhilarating, so much so that I spent almost forty years of my career working in government for or around politicians.

For me, Bill's legacy will be the wisdom and enlightenment he shared with thousands of students during his lifetime.  His pupils regarded him as a mentor and loved and respected him, not just for his knowledge but because he really cared about them and wished for them to be successful. 

Solon, the Athenian archon and lawgiver, was fond of saying, "Every day grow older, and every day learn something new."  Bill followed this advice all his life and never ceased acquiring new skills and information.

Just as the ancient Greeks valued excellence in all things as the highest standard in life, so did William Evans.  He elevated everything he did to another level.  Time is rapidly stealing these great men from our midst, but not from our memories.

May God bestow His grace on and bless Bill and your family now and always.  Sleep in peace Bill and Godspeed.

With love and respect,

John Headrick
Springfield, IL

Bill was a wonderful cousin and a pretty good funny guy.  We always looked forward to fall visits and lunch on the back porch.  We love you and miss you terribly.  Darrell and Sandy Bell

Uncle Bill gave me faith as a child, that you could always be silly and laugh.  From silly songs and ornery antics, Uncle Bill truly put a smile on our faces.  Thank you for the memories.  Your light will be missed.  Aunt Joyce and Anne, you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for sharing him with us.

So sorry to hear . Bill was a wonderful man, a true joy to be around. Thoughts and prayers go out to all his family. Karl and Candy Luthin

OBITUARY

William Thomas Evans

September 9, 1938 – January 10, 2024

Bisch & Son Funeral Home

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