Obituary of F. William Evans

F. William Evans, Jr., a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who was known as Bill to those closest to him, died July 10, 2016, at his home in Mullica Hill, N.J. He was 70 years old. Bill will be fondly remembered as an enthusiastic grandfather ("Poppy") who was always there for his granddaughter, Rebecca Helen Poulson, and grandsons, Nicholas Carl Poulson and Elijah Wade Evans. Bill was the caring father of Melissa Helen Poulson, Matthew Wade Evans, and Ethan Scott Evans, and the devoted husband of Helen Eunice Evans (nee Simpson); the two were married for 44 years, having tied the knot on June 3, 1972. Born December 19, 1945, Bill was the eldest of the six children of Frank W. Evans and Constance Cora Evans (nee Fullaway). After living in Philadelphia, he moved with his family to Cherry Hill, N.J., in 1956. He worked as a real estate marketing representative for the Penn Central railroad corporation in Philadelphia during the 1970s and '80s. Bill parlayed his real estate expertise into infrastructure roles with top telecommunications companies. An avid volleyball player throughout his life, he played volleyball in the New Jersey Senior Olympics during the 2000s. Also an avid photographer, he snapped pictures of everything from his children's earliest holidays to his grandchildren's birthdays, the weddings of his children, and every occasion in between. Given his tenure with the railroad, it came as no surprise that trains were among his favorite photographic subjects. Truly a train buff, he became a freight train engine preservationist, and collected train memorabilia. He loved traveling to Cape May, N.J., where his family of five vacationed every summer for more than four decades. Motivating others was important to him; most recently, he was a leader in the insurance adjustment business, often inspiring others during his speeches at numerous seminars. He loved his two Weimaraners, Miranda and Jazper. Bill is survived by Helen; Melissa and her husband, John; Matthew and his wife, Zsuzsi; three grandchildren, including Ethan's son, Elijah; sisters Andrea Morrison and Amy Sinka, and a number of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal church in Mullica Hill, N.J. Friends may meet with family at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal church, 51 North Main Street, Mullica Hill, N.J., 08062. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.