William Daniel Evans

William Daniel Evans, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from esophageal cancer at the age of 73. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. William was born on June 12, 1950 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan to William and Elizabeth (Justewicz) Evans. He graduated from Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest California and attended Bakersfield College where he majored in Agriculture and where he met his wife, Marta. William worked for the City of Bakersfield in the Parks Department where he developed his interest in agriculture and agronomy. He attended college while working full time and earned his license as a California Licensed Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor, a license he held for 44 years. He was also a member of the American Society of Agronomy and a lifelong member of CAPCA. He worked as a PCA on numerous crops and as a crop advisor for Agricultural Technical Service. He also worked as a ranch manager for Tenneco in charge of 2000 - 5000 acres of wine grapes. He worked as an independent contractor and was a commercial truck owner/operator for over 20 years. William loved his work, the outdoors, growing things, and hunting and fishing. He liked trying new things and learned carpentry and welding as well as flying an airplane. His favorite saying was "I haven't gone down that road before". He was an avid reader and had a passion for history and languages and was fluent in both Spanish and French. One of his greatest joys was to share his knowledge of plants and insects with his grandchildren. He was a fountain of knowledge in just about every subject and enjoyed passing on his knowledge to his family. He was a loving and generous man who would do anything for his family, was always supportive of whatever his wife, children and grandchildren would endeavor, and enjoyed taking them with him as he went about his daily routine. William was preceded in death by his father, William and his mother, Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife Martha (Blea) of 55 years, his sons Paul and Zachary, his grandchildren Gabrielle, Avery, and Daniel, sisters Evelyn Evans, Catherine Wilke, and Mary Evans, and numerous nephews and nieces. A family viewing and cremation was held in Avondale, Arizona. William was very much loved by his family and appreciated by his friends and coworkers. He will be greatly missed by his family and by those whose lives he touched.