Willy Evan

Willy Evan died July 26 at Mat-Su Regional Hospital of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Services will be Tuesday at 3 p.m., at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel at 1015 South Check Street in Wasilla with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served at Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults, 5000 East Shennum Drive in Wasilla immediately after the burial at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Willy was born Feb. 5, 1950 in Nikolai to Elupha and Alice Evan. At age 6, Willy moved to a children’s home in Chena Hot Springs. From 9 to 18 he lived in foster care in Fairbanks and then Anchorage’s Hope Cottages. From 1972 until 1978 he resided at Harborview in Valdez and then The Lodge in Anchorage for 15 years.

Willy’s life changed for the better in 1993 when he moved to Charles Boarding Home in Palmer and began his association with Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults.

Slowly he bagan to trust those around him and over the years his life improved dramatically. In 1998 Willy moved in with his case worker, Dawn McCain until 2004 when he became part of Renee Kremer’s family. In early 2009, with his health declining, Willy moved to Colony Manor Assisted Living Home where he was cared for lovingly and compassionately for the last months of his life.

Willy loved drinking coffee and could always be seen carrying one of his favorite cups. He loved Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash who he was listening to when he passed. He loved watching “Bonanza” and “Gunsmoke” on TV, traveling and spotting animals along the way.

Willy is survived by his chosen family, the staff at Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults, especially Joan, Henry, Carrie, Jo, Carolyn and Stacie, his former care providers Edie and Forrest Charles, Dawn McCain, and Renee Kremer who touched his life and made it better. The staff at Colony Manor Assisted Living Home who so lovingly cared for him at the end, and all of his friends and peers whose company he enjoyed and whose lives he touched in a special way, especially Janet, Ed, Mike and Gerry.