William Henry Evans, Jr.

G'Daddy, Dad, Daddy, Uncle Bill, Red Dog, Wild Bill - our dad went on to the Sweet Bye and Bye on Wednesday, October 30th on the road, just as Willie would have wanted. Bill was born in October of 1949 in Dallas, Texas to his parents, William H. Sr. and Patricia, and two terribly doting older sisters, Sharon and Patty.

As a boy, Red Dog had adventures on White Rock Lake, selling programs at the Cotton Bowl for Dallas Cowboy games, and good old fashioned tent revivals with some loving aunts and uncles in true Southern fashion. Bill attended Bryan Adams High School in Dallas where he met - and later married - the love of his life, Ms. Claire Marie Chandler. He tried his hand at Engineering at Texas Tech University, where he very quickly came to his senses and he and his bride headed on to Austin and The University of Texas. Bill earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Texas before heading to New Jersey and Montclair State where he earned a Master's Degree in Social Work. He and Claire once again came to their senses and returned to Austin where their first daughter, Sarah, was born in 1978.

With a baby in tow, a second one not too far away, always two for adventure, and a love of the outdoors, Bill and Claire pursued their dream of living in Colorado- his home for the remainder of his life. The young family settled in Greeley where they welcomed their youngest daughter Allison in 1980. They moved once again to Denver, and then to Western Colorado where Bill and Claire opened their own residential treatment facility, Western Academy, in Rifle. Western Academy supported hundreds of young people and their families in Colorado, became the gold standard in its field, and became home to a family in its own right to the staff and alumna who were loved there.

From cowboys to local business owners, Bill was a beloved friend and a beloved member of the community. The family lived on a ranch next to Rifle Creek Golf Course, where Bill cultivated a love for the game. His dogged passion for service and justice motivated him to run for public office twice: first for Garfield County Sheriff and later for Garfield County Commissioner. Bill and his family moved to Glenwood Springs where he tried his hand as a restaurant owner alongside his sister and nephew and as a born and bred democrat, Bill lead the Garfield County Democratic Committee for many years.

Bill was an original. A friend, writer, athlete, musician, dog-lover, thespian, carpenter, jokester, and devoted dad and grandfather to Jackson, Tate, Shepard, and Marierose - he loved life. He was a constant reader fascinated by the people he met on the road and places he visited in his white VW camper-van emblazoned with the motto, "Onward Through the Fog". He is survived by his daughters, Allison and Sarah, his sons-in-law, Bill and Josh, his four grandchildren, Marierose, Shepard, Tate, and Jackson, his beloved, Claire, sisters Sharon and Patty, nieces Tara, Tricia, Elizabeth and Stephanie, and nephews, Michael and Casey.

Bill was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous and so it was with his 12 year chip in his pocket that he walked on to glory, as the gospel songs he loved so well say. He is sorely missed already and will be forever and eternally. "In the sweet bye and bye, we will meet on that beautiful shore."

We love you G'daddy forever and always.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Little Red Schoolhouse in New Castle, CO on Saturday, November 30th at 2:00 pm. There will also be a future service held at St. Lawrence Church in South Lake, TX, and a good old fashioned Family Picnic in La Junta, CO in the Spring. If you are interested in the Texas or La Junta events, reach out to the family.