William J. Evans, Jr.

William Joseph “Bill” Evans, Jr. of Pawleys Island, South Carolina passed peacefully on June 29, 2024 while surrounded by his family after a 10 week battle with a sudden heart condition. Bill was born in Washington, D.C. in 1945 to William J. Evans, MD and Katherine Sullivan Evans. Bill attended the University Maryland where he played offensive guard for the Terrapins and met the love of his life: his wife, Barbara. After college, Bill was commissioned into the United States Airforce where he obtained the rank of Captain and spent 12 years flying KC-135 (mid-air refuelers) and Galaxy C-5 A cargo planes between Thailand and Vietnam. Bill then followed in the footsteps of his brother Rick in the United States Postal Inspection Service where he investigated mail fraud, medical fraud, narcotics, and violent crime cases in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and South Carolina for the next 24 years. During much of the 1990s, Bill and best friend Cory Dudley were detailed to a multi-agency task force which resulted in the federal conviction of multiple Southern California physicians who had perpetrated the then-largest medical insurance fraud scheme in US history involving fraudulent claims of over $ 1 billion dollars. For his work on the task force, Bill was awarded Federal Investigator of the Year for 1994 by the Federal Investigators’ Association. While he was intense in his work, he was a source of great joy to his family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors and someone to be relied upon in troubled times. As it was at home with his children, he was a natural mentor and team leader throughout his career. He loved each of his children dearly, and he never stopped being their hero and mentor. He was particularly suited to the role of grandfather, with a playful sense of humor, timeless wisdom, and unlimited love. Bill was absolutely devoted to his wife, whom he considered a saint on earth. The couple celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary just days before Bill’s illness began. Bill is preceded in death by his sister Margaret “Peg” Collins, and her husband Tom. Bill is survived by his wife Barbara of Pawleys Island, SC, son William Joseph “Jay” Evans, III (Teresa) of Oceanside, CA; daughter Kristin (Edwin) Diaz of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; son Scott Christopher Evans of Georgetown, SC; grandsons Ethan and Dylan Diaz of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; and granddaughter Charlotte “Cece” Evans of Georgetown, SC, as well as brothers Rick (Patricia) Evans and Kevin Evans; sister Kay (Vince) McAndrew; nieces Coleen, Bridgett, Jessie, Anna, Margaret, and Gabrielle; and nephews Inspector Brian and Special Agent Daniel Evans. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 6, 2024, at The Abbey at Pawleys Island, 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island. Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242