HALLSTEAD, PA, USA U.S. Army SPC, COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, (MECH) 109TH INFANTRY, (2 MEF), WILLIAMSPORT, PA BAGHDAD, IRAQ 09/19/2005
SPC William Evans was a popular high school student, actively involved in band, choir and track before graduating in 2002. He was so full of life and had such an infectious personality. He was always busy and on the move, and just great to be around.
Bill got a job at Craige’s Photique photo store while still in high school, but he dazzled owner Rick Craige with his skills to the point where Craige viewed the young photographer as an equal and, in some aspects, superior. “He had one of the best eyes of any photographer I have ever seen,” Craige said. “With the natural talent he had, he really took to photography and was great at it.”
He was stationed at Williamsport. Evans was quiet when he first joined the National Guard in 2003, but not for long. His fellow Guardsman noted that once you got to know him, you couldn’t help but fall in love with him. He was a great young man.
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell ordered flags to be flown at half mast in honor of 15 lost Pennsylvania Guardsman lost in an especially difficult two month period August and September 2005. SPC Evans was one of five soldiers killed near Ramadi, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
SPC Evans was the son of Billie and Judy Evans, Hallstead, Pennsylvania. Bill attended South New Milford Baptist Church. Along with Bill’s deep faith, he loved hunting, photography and working with special-needs people. He fought for what he believed in, God and his country and freedom for all. Bill will be deeply missed by his family and many, many friends. His favorite Bible verse in Iraq which he shared with his fellow soldiers was Psalms 27:5: “For in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shale he hide me, he shall set me up upon a rock.”
He is survived by his parents, a sister, a brother, Joshua, two grandmothers, along with aunts, uncles and cousins…and loving friends. William’s portrait is also located on Poster 4