Dr. William Slaton Evans, II

Dr. William Slaton Evans II (91), of Lexington, TN, died on Sunday, November 15, 2020.  He was born in Malesus, TN, on January 4, 1929, the eldest of four children of Dr. William Slaton Evans and Helen Mann Evans, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy Mann Evans and Dr. John Wesley Evans.

Dr. Evans, known as Grand Bill to his family and Brother Bill to his friends, is survived by his wife, Betty Shaw Evans, and their four children: Rebecca Evans Goodson (Wes) of Longmont, Colorado, Reverend William S. Evans III (Dana) and Elizabeth Evans Dickerson (Bill) of Dyersburg, TN, and Ellen Evans Markwell (Ken) of Germantown, TN.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Ben and Carter Goodson; Slaton and Lily Evans and Madison Evans Friesen; Leslie Gabb; Christopher, Anthony and Nikolaus Markwell; Will, Cole and Shaw Dickerson. In addition, he is survived by eleven great-grandchildren, his sister, Dr. Joan Evans Hartman, and his sisters-in-law, Katherine Evans and Rosemary Evans, nine nieces and nephews, and sixteen great-nieces and nephews.

Dr. Evans is a graduate of Lambuth College and Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He served with distinction for over 6 decades in the United Methodist Church, including pastorates in Whiteville, TN (Circuit), St. John’s, Memphis (Associate), Alamo, TN;  Longview Heights, Memphis; Trenton, TN; Union City, TN; Raleigh, Memphis; Enville, TN and Holly Springs, TN. He also served as District Superintendent of the Lexington District, as well as the Administrative Assistant of Bishops Carder and Newman, and as appointment to the United Methodist Church’s Board of Global Mission. Brother Bill had a life-long love and passion for the church and missions, as he served Jesus Christ, through his work in the United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested for any memorial to be sent to: Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center (Eva, TN), Reelfoot Rural Ministries (Rt. 2, Obion, TN), or to the work of the previous churches he was privileged to serve.

There will be a grave-side service for the immediate family on Friday, November 20, 2020 at the Evans’ family plot in Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.  Pallbearers will be Slaton Evans, Will Dickerson, Cole Dickerson, Shaw Dickerson, Scott Hartman and Evans Hartman.

We are privileged and honored to serve the Evans family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

(Psalm 27:13, Dr. Evans favorite passage of scripture)