Paul L. Evans

On September 13, 2025, our Savior called home his beloved son Paul L. Evans to his eternal reward.

Paul L. Evans was born on May 15, 1944, to Paul and Marguerite Evans in Topeka, Kansas. The oldest of 8 sons in a blended family, Paul was the apple of his mother's eye and learned a sense of responsibility and the importance of being dependable at an early age. He was a fierce protector of all the people he loved and cherished. From this union Paul would swiftly be joined by his brothers John and Roosevelt.
Marguerite and Paul shortly after the birth of their third son, decided that a co-parenting relationship would be better than being married.

Marguerite was blessed to meet a handsome veteran named Alex Andrew and they embarked on a life full of joy and a household of boys, adding Alex, Robert and Michael after they married in 1948.
Paul was a 1962 graduate of South High School, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Cooper in July of the same year. From this union they were blessed to have 3 children Paul, affectionately known as "Tony" and the "Twins" Dennis and Denise. In 1981, Paul and Dorothy transitioned into a co- parenting partnership and ended their union but remained fiercely committed to their children.

On January 1, 1982, Paul married the love of his life, Lillie McCall. He inherited daughters, Crystal, Marquita, Charise and Tracy. Paul became the patriarch of a large, blended family that he loved and stewarded effortlessly.

Paul and Lillie met as nontraditional evening students at the University of Akron in 1974 while pursuing their bachelor's degrees in Industrial Education. It is family folklore, and often told funny tale that "Lil", as she is affectionally known, was the only female in a drafting class and struggling with the assignments. Several of the guys "offered" to tutor her however, Paul was the only one that never offered to assist her. He would later say that he was shy and since she had plenty of admirers, he thought she had enough help. She would say, nope he was just "stuck' up. Before the semester was over, however, they had become fast friends and study partners. No one remembers who said what to whom first.

Paul was hired by Goodyear Aerospace Corporation for the sanitation crew in 1962. A hard worker, and dedicated provider for his family, Paul exhibited a strong work ethic and at times worked multiple jobs to provide. He had a long and storied career at Goodyear Aerospace and later at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Worldwide Headquarters where he pursued careers as a Journeyman Electrician, Safety Engineer and for several years prior to his retirement became the company's first Manager of Ergonomics.

He retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company on December 1, 2003, after a 40 plus year career with the company. In his various roles they allowed him to travel around the world working in Singapore, India, France, Germany and China to name just a few of the locations.

Paul and Lil became a powerhouse when they married and set their intentions on building generational wealth and to teach their children and later others how to make sound and solid investments to improve the lives of the generations to come.

Their entrepreneurial journey began in the mid 1990's as they began to slowly amass rental property with the assistance of their mentors, an India couple that they had befriended. The rental property "bug' caught on and at the height of their property acquisition endeavors they owned more than 40 properties, including single family homes, duplexes and condominiums. Westside Rentals LLC. was created and through this venture, they shared their knowledge with friends and family that also wanted to invest in property to amass passive income. From those endeavors they were often asked to speak at community events and churches regarding the advantage of home ownership and rental property investments.

In 2001 Paul and Lil opened Vision 7 Enterprises, Inc. which was located in the Evans building on Main Street in Akron. Until 2014 Paul and Lil mentored people through the credit repair, savings goals and the home buying process. Lil would eventually obtain her Real Estate License and Mortgage Broker license. Paul and Lil would go on to open Funding Group Mortgage Company, LLC, with a business partner. Their daughter Crystal would join the business as well.

Paul often remarked that Lil's courage and business acumen along with her willingness to bet on herself was the driving force for many of the financial endeavors they embarked on. He trusted her and that trust opened a myriad of doors and opportunities a young black boy born in Kansas could never have imagined.

Paul accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church and later moved onto St. Paul AME both located in Akron, Ohio. He and Lil joined Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Barberton, Ohio. He was a dedicated member and respected elder in each of these church families.

For the past 20 plus years, he has been a dedicated member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio under the stewardship of Pastor Jeffrey A. Dennis, where he was a member of the Men's Ministry, Finance Ministry, and a Trustee.

Paul and Lil were avid golfers, travelers, and slot machine aficionados. Paul enjoyed fishing with his son Dennis, attending sporting events with his son Tony and relishing Mexican food and Margaritas with his daughters.

Known as Mr. Fix It, he was our first call when something was broken or when our cars were making" funny noises".

As a passionate golfer and a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. he and his golf partner Jeff McDaniels enjoyed playing in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. golf league every season winning the title of Season Champions for the years 2007,2013,2014 and 2018. The running joke was that the brothers in the Black and Gold revised league rules to separate Paul and Jeff, because they were sick of the duo in the Blue and White.

A technology buff and bever afraid to learn something new, Paul was the first person in his department at Goodyear a computer on his desk. He told his boss. "If you buy it, I will teach the others", and he did just that. His colleagues were adamant that computers were just a "fad". He was 30 years old at the time. A powerful lesson that his kids have never forgotten.
Paul loved his family and his church family, but he also loved the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He became a member in the mid 1980's. He could be counted on to represent the principles and ideas of his "Frat" daily: Service, Scholarship and Brotherhood were the cornerstone of his life. He believed that to whom much was given, much was required.

Paul L. Evans was proceeded in death by his beloved parents, Paul W. Evans, Alex and Marguerita Andrew, son Dennis L. Evans, grandson Paul A. Evans Jr., Great Granddaughter Brieannah Warren, siblings, John Evans, Roosevelt Evans, Robert Andrew, Michael Andrew, in-laws, Arthur (Sarah) McCall, Darell (Ella), Charles (Laura), Ezzard, Lecount, Sandra (Detroit)James, Mattie (Tecumseh) Stewart, Gloria Tucker, Mary (Adam) Tabler, and Bonus Mom Mary Evans.

Paul leaves to celebrate his love and life, Lillie "Lil" Evans his loving wife of 43 years. Brothers Michael (Yvonne) Evans (North Carolina), Alex Andrew (Ohio) and Loring Evans (Michigan) Children, Paul A. (Marilyn) Evans, Denise (Michael) Ricks, Crystal Neloms, Marquita (Eric) Thatcher, Charise Gaffney and Tracy (James) Parker. Grandchildren Candace, Sparkle, Kassie, Chloe, Eric, Latisha, James, Miesha, Jennessa and Surya, four great grandchildren, Saige, Xavier, Briella, and Gianna, Best Friend, Jeff McDaniels, Bonus, Sister Sheila Fambro, and first wife, Dorothy Evans, along with a host of nieces, nephews, fraternity brothers, friends and colleagues.