William Thurman Evans Obituary

William Thurman "Bill" Evans, 78, of Richardson passed away on July 7th, 2025, while in hospice care after a long battle with illness. He was born in Beaumont on October 25th, 1946, to Lillian Cole Jackson Evans and William Thurman "Mike" Evans.

Bill is survived by his sister, Cole Evans Wright of Richardson; her sons Robert Edman Vaughan and his wife Mary of Wylie, and their daughters, Jenna Mae Vaughan (Harold Wilson) of College Station, and Amber Nicole Vaughan (Justin Cross) of Plano; and Colin Harrison Wright of Galveston and Green Acres; and his great-nephew Morgan Thurman Wright of Plano; along with many cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and his nephew Michael Tanner Wright; and several aunts and uncles.

Bill will be remembered by all of us as loving his family, Mopars, and Harleys. Bill was always the one you could call, at any time day or night, and he would gladly help in any way possible. He liked being around his nephews and having a good time, cooking briskets for 4th of July reunions, and making great memories with family. He is missed greatly.

Bill attended Beaumont public schools and graduated from Beaumont High in 1965. He briefly attended Allen Military Academy in 1963, where he met his brother from another mother, Bill Bogel. Bill attended college beginning in the fall of 1965 and attended Lamar University, Schriener Institute, and East Texas State University from 1968 to 1971. Bill spent some time as a professional motorcycle race mechanic working with his cousin Jeff Tindel from 1968 - 1971.

Bill held several positions as well, imprinting his excellent knowledge in many areas. He worked on a land survey crew for Sun Oil, was a night manager at several service stations, and was a deckhand on a tugboat for Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co. He was later employed as a Plant Foreman for Sinclair Valentine, and also as a Supervisor for CP&W Printing Ink in Jacksonville, FL, and Crown Zellerbach in St. Louis, MO.

Bill began attending East Texas State University in earnest in 1976, while working at the Tindel Farm in Dial, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration in 1980.

In January 1981, after graduation, he went to work for the Western Company of North America oil field services based in Ft. Worth. He was in the Management Trainee program, based in Liberty, Texas. Bill enjoyed working in the oil field and stayed there as a Cementing Supervisor, eventually moving into a Sales position. Times got tough in the oil field in the late '80s, and he was laid off in1988.

Through a government opportunity, Bill began attending Texas A&M in College Station, working on his PhD in Occupational Safety. Bill completed all coursework, Orals, and Proposal for Dissertation for his PhD in 1993. While at A&M, Bill enjoyed driving a truck hauling logs for the Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire for several years. He was recognized several times by the Red Pots (Student Bonfire Leaders) for his efforts.

During his time at A&M, Bill was suffering from a back injury he got while working in the oil field. His parents were aging, so he moved back home to Richardson to help take care of them. During this time, he also volunteered selling merchandise for the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge, a club against club drag racing group, and helping Bob with his race car. Several years later, the back pain got to the point where he decided to have it surgically corrected. Three spinal surgeries with complications eventually restricted him to a wheelchair and finally to the bed where he spent the last few years of his life.

In early 2025, he required a lower right leg amputation due to complications from diabetes and began to decline rapidly after that. His mind was still sharp up until the end; however, his body was failing. He passed peacefully the evening of January 7th.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday July 26th at East Fork Lodge, 508 Parker Rd. Wylie, Texas 75098 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: ntxwildlife.org or operationkindness.org.