Obituary for William Hugh Evans
William Hugh Evans
April 20th, 1948 - October 24th, 2021
William Hugh Evans, aged 73, passed away peacefully in the palliative care room at the Carmelite House in Grand Falls-Windsor NL, on Sunday, October 24th, 2021. He was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Phyllis (Jewer) Evans, brothers-in-law Ron Pilgrim, Bruce Hickey, Patrick Doucette, sister-in-law Mary Pilgrim and nephew Sheldon Pilgrim.
Bill was born in Botwood, April 20th, 1948 and grew up on Carmelite Road in Grand Falls-Windsor. Sliding down the library hill, playing red rover, frozen tag and kick-the-can were some of his favourite pastimes as a child. He was a Queen’s Scout, scout leader and an army cadet. Growing up next door to the Daily Mail Library inspired his lifelong love of reading, while the beautiful scenery of his hometown inspired his love of nature and the outdoors.
Bill received his Diploma in Engineering from Memorial University in 1969 and his Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 1973. He maintained lifelong friendships with many of his university classmates.
He began his forestry career at home where he worked in the woodlands division of the Price Newfoundland Pulp and Paper Company as a Project Forest Engineer. From 1990-1995 he and his family explored Canada’s west coast while he worked as Divisional Manager for Fletcher Challenge Canada in Mackenzie, BC. In 1995 he continued his career in Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor as General Logging Superintendent. In 2011, until he retired in 2017, he worked with the Muskrat Falls Development Project in Labrador as a Construction Area Manager. He is remembered by colleagues for his mentorship, leadership, dedication and commitment to his craft. Many of those same colleagues became his closest and life-long friends.
Bill’s many passions included Newfoundland and British military history, his involvement with Branch 12 of the Royal Canadian Legion, spending time at his camp in Roebucks Brook and tending to his potatoes and gardens at home and at Evans Point. His greatest passion, however, was always his family. Bill met Trudy, his wife of 49 years, on a blind date in the spring of 1971. Bill and Trudy had five children and eight grandchildren, and they were the love of his life. He loved visiting his children and grandchildren in Toronto, Ottawa, Mineville NS, Foxtrap and home in Grand Falls -Windsor. He especially enjoyed hosting and cooking large meals for family gatherings at home and at the cabin.
Evans Point, Northern Arm, was a special place for Bill, Trudy and family which he referred to as “our own little piece of paradise.” The summer of 2020 was perhaps the favorite time of all ”at the point” as the cousins had their own “bubble”, sharing laughter, good food and lots of fond memories.
Left with fond and loving memories are his wife Trudy (Pilgrim); his children, Bill, Steve (Jen), Katie (Tim), Philip (Syna), Daniel (Chelsea), his grandchildren; Harris Smith Evans, Violet, Patrick and James Sloan; Finley and Isabella Evans, Benjamin and Jonah Evans (Jonah William was born October 12th, 12 days before Bill’s passing).
Siblings: Vera Blackmore (Bryan), Kathy Reid (Bryan), brother Jim (Judy); his Pilgrim family; Rosetta (Alan), Betty, Kay, Margie. Brothers-in-law Bill (Ina), Phil (Margie), Allan (Trish), Harris, Kevin, Alec (Val); Uncle Bud and Aunt Ruby Jewer and family of Pickering Ontario, Uncle Bill Jewer and family of California. He also leaves to mourn many loving nieces and nephews, as well as a large circle of family and friends.
A special thank-you to Dr. Wendy House, nurse Ruth Wells and the many doctors, nurses and staff of the Health Science Center, Central Newfoundland Hospital, the Cancer Care Clinic and the palliative care team at the Carmelite House. Words cannot express the gratitude to everyone who reached out during this trying year with food, best wishes, support and expressions of love.Your support has helped his family through these challenging times.
Donations may be made in his memory to Memorial United Church of Grand Falls-Windsor www.memorialunited.com. No flowers by request. Rev. Kim Waite will officiate at his funeral which will be held at the Memorial United Church on Thursday October 28th, 2021 at 2pm. The funeral will be livestreamed from the Memorial United Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Memorial-United-Church-Grand-Falls-Windsor-164423326018
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Central Funeral Homes.
April 20th, 1948 - October 24th, 2021
William Hugh Evans, aged 73, passed away peacefully in the palliative care room at the Carmelite House in Grand Falls-Windsor NL, on Sunday, October 24th, 2021. He was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Phyllis (Jewer) Evans, brothers-in-law Ron Pilgrim, Bruce Hickey, Patrick Doucette, sister-in-law Mary Pilgrim and nephew Sheldon Pilgrim.
Bill was born in Botwood, April 20th, 1948 and grew up on Carmelite Road in Grand Falls-Windsor. Sliding down the library hill, playing red rover, frozen tag and kick-the-can were some of his favourite pastimes as a child. He was a Queen’s Scout, scout leader and an army cadet. Growing up next door to the Daily Mail Library inspired his lifelong love of reading, while the beautiful scenery of his hometown inspired his love of nature and the outdoors.
Bill received his Diploma in Engineering from Memorial University in 1969 and his Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 1973. He maintained lifelong friendships with many of his university classmates.
He began his forestry career at home where he worked in the woodlands division of the Price Newfoundland Pulp and Paper Company as a Project Forest Engineer. From 1990-1995 he and his family explored Canada’s west coast while he worked as Divisional Manager for Fletcher Challenge Canada in Mackenzie, BC. In 1995 he continued his career in Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor as General Logging Superintendent. In 2011, until he retired in 2017, he worked with the Muskrat Falls Development Project in Labrador as a Construction Area Manager. He is remembered by colleagues for his mentorship, leadership, dedication and commitment to his craft. Many of those same colleagues became his closest and life-long friends.
Bill’s many passions included Newfoundland and British military history, his involvement with Branch 12 of the Royal Canadian Legion, spending time at his camp in Roebucks Brook and tending to his potatoes and gardens at home and at Evans Point. His greatest passion, however, was always his family. Bill met Trudy, his wife of 49 years, on a blind date in the spring of 1971. Bill and Trudy had five children and eight grandchildren, and they were the love of his life. He loved visiting his children and grandchildren in Toronto, Ottawa, Mineville NS, Foxtrap and home in Grand Falls -Windsor. He especially enjoyed hosting and cooking large meals for family gatherings at home and at the cabin.
Evans Point, Northern Arm, was a special place for Bill, Trudy and family which he referred to as “our own little piece of paradise.” The summer of 2020 was perhaps the favorite time of all ”at the point” as the cousins had their own “bubble”, sharing laughter, good food and lots of fond memories.
Left with fond and loving memories are his wife Trudy (Pilgrim); his children, Bill, Steve (Jen), Katie (Tim), Philip (Syna), Daniel (Chelsea), his grandchildren; Harris Smith Evans, Violet, Patrick and James Sloan; Finley and Isabella Evans, Benjamin and Jonah Evans (Jonah William was born October 12th, 12 days before Bill’s passing).
Siblings: Vera Blackmore (Bryan), Kathy Reid (Bryan), brother Jim (Judy); his Pilgrim family; Rosetta (Alan), Betty, Kay, Margie. Brothers-in-law Bill (Ina), Phil (Margie), Allan (Trish), Harris, Kevin, Alec (Val); Uncle Bud and Aunt Ruby Jewer and family of Pickering Ontario, Uncle Bill Jewer and family of California. He also leaves to mourn many loving nieces and nephews, as well as a large circle of family and friends.
A special thank-you to Dr. Wendy House, nurse Ruth Wells and the many doctors, nurses and staff of the Health Science Center, Central Newfoundland Hospital, the Cancer Care Clinic and the palliative care team at the Carmelite House. Words cannot express the gratitude to everyone who reached out during this trying year with food, best wishes, support and expressions of love.Your support has helped his family through these challenging times.
Donations may be made in his memory to Memorial United Church of Grand Falls-Windsor www.memorialunited.com. No flowers by request. Rev. Kim Waite will officiate at his funeral which will be held at the Memorial United Church on Thursday October 28th, 2021 at 2pm. The funeral will be livestreamed from the Memorial United Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Memorial-United-Church-Grand-Falls-Windsor-164423326018
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Central Funeral Homes.