W.J. “Wally” Evans
W.J. “Wally” Evans, a resident of the Emporia Presbyterian Manor and formerly of 1923 Morningside Drive, died Saturday, March 10, 2007, at the manor. He was 97.
Mr. Evans was the owner of EVCO Wholesale Food Corporation. He purchased the business which was then the Emporia Wholesale Coffee Company in April 1955 and moved his family to Emporia where he completed his business career. He worked early on as a mechanic for the Ford Motor Company, then began farming and worked part time at the Blackburn hardware store in Bazaar.
The son of D.C. “Calvin” and Ethel Gillespie Evans, he was born Sept. 29, 1909, in rural Bazaar. He married Donna Marie Myers on Jan. 19, 1936, at Strong City. She died Sept. 27, 1996.
Mr. Evans was a former member of the Emporia Rotary Club, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Country Club, American Legion Ball-McColm Post 5, Veterans of Foreign Wars Lowry-Funston Post 1980 and was a veteran of the Kansas Cavalry of the Kansas National Guard. He was the last surviving member of the founding board of directors for the Flint Hills Rodeo.
He is survived by one son, Charles C. “Skip” Evans of Emporia; one daughter, Theresa Ann Muckenthaler of Emporia; one sister, Doris Crofoot of Wichita; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A stepsister, Beryl Stout Ward, died earlier.
The graveside service will be at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in Bazaar Cemetery at Bazaar.
Memorial contributions to the Bazaar School House Fund may be sent in care of the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801.