Billy Eugene Evans

Mr. BILLY EUGENE EVANS Mr. Billy Eugene Evans, 77, of Ochelata, retired Elevator Constructor, died on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 in Bartlesville. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday November 16, 2013 at the Caney Valley School Gymnasium in Ramona, with interment in the Ochelata Cemetery under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. There will be a Visitation on Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Stumpff Funeral Home. Mr. Evans was born on June 9, 1936 at Ramona, Oklahoma, to Raleigh Edgar and Viola Pearl (Overacker) Evans. He was raised in the Ochelata area and lived there most of his life. He attended Ochelata schools and graduated from Ochelata High School in 1954. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Leta Mae Leard on March 2, 1956, and the couple originally made their home in Ochelata. Bill worked as a young man hauling hay, and then for the Dr. Pepper Love Bottling Company in Bartlesville. He later worked as an elevator constructor for more than 30 years, from which he retired. A hard-working man for his entire life, Bill continued working even in his retirement as a self-employed contractor in the oil industry. In his 20s Bill started playing country music with Bob Bush, Jack Bush, Charles “Chuckie” Evans and Willard Eubanks, and music became a lifelong passion. Bill played the electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and the bass fiddle. He started playing Bluegrass in the early 1970s. Bill played in several bands and traveled with Don Thomas and the Arbuckles for several years. The group released an album entitled, “The Arbuckles.” Through the years, Bill attended numerous Bluegrass festivals and pickin’s all over the United States. He has played with many well-known musicians through the years. He loved sports, music, and family and he died a loved, respected and hard-working man. Mr. Evans is survived by his wife Leta M. (Leard) Evans of the home; two sons, Charles Duane & wife Brenda Evans of Nowata, Robert Ray and wife Deanna Evans of Bartlesville; two daughters, Judy Ann Viles and Doug Bodenhamer of Bartlesville, and Jana Sue Hardiman and Jeff of Ramona; his childhood guardian, Charles Castleman of Ochelata; two sisters, Donna Henshall Anderson, and husband Dr. Mike Anderson, of Oklahoma City, Sharon Castleman Morrison and husband Bill of Barnsdall; four brothers, Jerry Henshall and wife Frankie of Bartlesville, Bill Henshall of Arkansas, Clinton Henshall and wife Linda of Bartlesville, and Preston Castleman of Louisiana; uncles, Charles Castleman of Ochelata, and D.J. Evans of Matoaka,; and aunt, Bertha Evans Boulanger of Ochelata; 12 grandchildren, Kristi Evans Carter, Mandy Evans Wesson, Bruce Evans, Tiffany Viles Conditt, Fred Evans, Justin Viles, David Evans, Josh Viles, Melissa Evans, Grace Evans, Jackson Hardiman, and Jennifer Hardiman, and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents, Raleigh Edgar Evans, and Pearl and Clinton Henshall; by a son, Ernie Evans; and a granddaughter, Jena Hardiman. He was also preceded in death by his childhood guardian, Beulah Castleman, and by a sister Barbara Pendergraff. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org. PDF Printable Version

Billy Eugene Evans

June 9, 1936 - November 12, 2013