William Lee Evans

William Lee Evans of Atlanta was born June 22, 1944 and died on October 19, 2019 from a brain tumor.

Father Bill, as he was known to many, served for 45 years as an Episcopal Priest. Specializing in Interim ministries and restoring organizational systems, Bill worked in parishes all over the East Coast. Over his long career, he served at: Trinity Episcopal, Alpena MI; St. James Episcopal, Grosse Ile MI; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Drayton Plains, MI; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ladue MO; St. James Episcopal, Mt. Vernon, VA; Immanuel-on-the-Hill, Alexandria VA, Holy Comforter, Vienna VA; Grace Episcopal, Silver Spring, MD; Our Savior, Silver Spring, MD; St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, TN; St. Michael’s, Stone Mountain, GA; and St. Peter; St. David’s, Roswell, GA; St. Anne’s, Atlanta, GA; Holy Cross Atlanta, GA; Holy Spirit, Cumming, GA, Christ Church, Macon, GA and All Saints, Atlanta, GA.

Born in Paw Paw, Michigan, Bill was an ambitious student and an active scout, achieving the rank of double Eagle Scout. He completed his undergraduate at Michigan State University.

During his master’s program at The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), he met his wife, Karen Adler Evans, and they immediately began to travel the globe together, a pastime they enjoyed for over 50 years. Their love was a constant source of joy and comfort for them both. They were best friends, constant confidants, and a close, loving couple to the very last moment.

In their first year of marriage they lived in Bologna, Italy. Shortly after their return, Bill began service in the Army and was sent to Vietnam where he earned a bronze star. He struggled with PTSD for much of his adult life. After Vietnam, Bill followed his calling and changed his path to one focused on God, peace and love. He and Karen moved to Canada and Bill attended at Huron College in London, Ontario. In that time period, they had two daughters, Sarah and Kathryn. As a father and a Father he was passionate, funny, energetic and unafraid to make his voice heard.

A lifetime nature-lover, fitness-enthusiast and avid walker, while living in Alexandria, VA in the 1990s, he began to practice yoga. He continued his practice, eventually becoming a popular yoga teacher at Health Place in Marietta, GA. He taught and practiced yoga until recently, and has passed his love of yoga on to his daughters and his grandchildren.

Bill valued every person in his life and enjoyed making friends wherever he went. If you were one of his “buddies” please know he loved each and every one of you and his family thanks you for your kindness.

Bill is survived by his wife Karen Adler Evans, his daughters Sarah Hagen (Bodhi) and Kathryn Ombam (Charles), and his grandchildren Bo and Maybel Hagen and Emmah and Agnes Ombam, his sisters Carole Verboon and Janet Sue Strait, his sisters-in-law Audrey and Connie Adler, and nieces and nephews Rob and Kimberli Cox, Nathan Strait, Shifra and Naiche Adler. His family will miss his unique way of looking at the world, his loud laugh, his tight hugs, his love of naps, and everything else.

In lieu of flowers, you may give to the church or charity of your choice, but please also take time to take a quiet walk with someone you love and find something that fascinates you. Be generous and non-judgmental with those near you that are in need. Be kind to people, and be honest with yourself.

A memorial service and interment will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11am.