Obituary of Waymon David Evans

W. David Evans, 81, of Hillister, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 25, 2017. He was the eldest son of 9 children born to Waymon Evans and Ellen Ruth Wade Evans on July 11, 1935, in Whitfield County, Georgia. David grew up in north central Arkansas and came to Texas as a young man, where he met and married the love of his life in the Lone Star state. “Papa” loved his family. He enjoyed fishing and watching his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, play football. He always had a quick wit and a smile. David served as a deacon at Beech Creek Baptist Church. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Shirley Ruth Sullivan Evans, and his children, son, Donnie L. Evans and wife, Carrie Ruth, of Silsbee, TX, daughter, Linda Patrick and husband, Roy, of Ratcliff, TX, and daughter, Sherry Williams and husband, Paul, of Spurger, TX; sisters, Betty Reeves, Linda Candler and Mary Alery; and brothers, John Evans, James Evans and Ray Evans. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, as well as 1 great-great grandchild yet to arrive in 2017. A gathering of friends and family celebrating his life will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Riley Funeral Home in Woodville, TX, and the funeral services will be held at the same location on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Beech Creek Cemetery in Spurger, TX. Pallbearers are Joseph Evans, Daniel Williams, Tommy Patrick, Jon Richardson, Elijah Williams, Matthew Sirmons, and Samuel Sirmons. Honorary pallbearers are Gage Winkle, Patrick Miller, Lucas Miller, Bryce Gore, Tucker Cravey, Caleb Turner, Connor Durant, Ethan Young, and Lane Winkle.