William Paul Evans

William P. Evans gently went to his eternal home on the glorious feast of Christmas 2020, when we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.
Bill was born in 1937 in Akron, Ohio. He was the sixth of eight children born to Dr. John T. Evans, a physician, and Olive Evans, a nurse. As an adult, Bill earned degrees from The Ohio State University and Kent State University in the field of education. Bill taught a variety of science classes in the Akron Public Schools system for 30 years. He was a gentle and considerate teacher, and in 1972 he received the Martha Holden Jennings Award from Kent State University for excellence in teaching. After retirement, he volunteered for Mobile Meals.
Bill will be missed by his wife, Catherine (Cathy) Wahl Evans; three daughters; five grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. Cathy and Bill had a beautiful love for each other as they laughed and shared big and small adventures for 58 years. Together they enjoyed their loving daughters, Therese (Tom) Boyle, Jill Hakes and Cara (Alfonso Giannone) Evans. Bill's children and grandchildren will remember him as a kind and selfless man who was always there for them and taught them how to live by his quiet example.
Even though he had Alzheimer's disease in his later years, Bill's mind was always sharp enough to live in the moment and laugh at a joke. He is passing on his joy of life and his trust in God to his wonderful and entertaining grandchildren, Claire (Mark) Boyle Calhoun, Colleen Boyle, Kelly Boyle, Nick Hakes and Jack Hakes. In addition, Bill always had a special place in his heart for his nieces who shared their love and laughter with him.
Bill was fortunate to have lifelong groups of friends. For more than 40 years, he played cards once a month with fellow teachers and in a couples' bridge group with Cathy and dear friends. He will be remembered for his friendly charm, relaxed manner, blue eyes and clear tenor voice. He sang in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church choir for many years.
Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by an infant daughter, Catherine; two brothers and their wives, Dr. John (Evelyn) Evans and Thomas (Martha) Evans; and two brothers-in-law, Gerhard Hopf and Nick Figetakis. He is survived by four other siblings, Jim (LaVerne) Evans, Mary Evans, Peg Hopf, and Judy (Tom) Funk. He also leaves a brother-in-law, Frank (Debbie) Wahl.
Our family has been blessed by God to have Bill in our lives, and we are grateful for the care of his doctors and the Garden of Western Reserve Hospice nurses who made his life more comfortable at the end. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 6, at 10 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls, where the family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If you wish, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice or to Bill's choir; IHM Music Ministry Organ Fund, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223.
Thank you to everyone who has shared memories and laughter with Bill and our family.

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