By David Kilby|Correspondent

If a life can be measured by joy and laughter, both given and received, then Father William G. Evans' life was filled to the brim.

 About 40 priests, along with Bishop David M. O' Connell, C.M., attended Father Evans' funeral on a drizzly Friday morning Nov. 22  in St. Dorothea Church, Eatontown, where Father Evans served as pastor from 1999 to 2009. Father Evans died Nov. 18 at age 69.

 Bishop O' Connell was principal celebrant of the funeral Mass, and Father Stanley P. Lukaszewski, pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, was the homilist.

 Father Lukaszewski recalled that his friend Father Evans, "had a particular grace and charisma in his work."

 "He had a very big heart," Father Lukaszewski added. "He always loved. He was always willing to walk with people in their sorrows and in their joys, and he was always honest. He has always shown in his service to God's people how everyone is valued in the eyes of God."

 Father Evans was born Dec. 6, 1943 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Mary’s College, St. Mary, Ky., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, then Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., earning a master’s degree in theology.

He was ordained a priest May 20, 1978, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr.

He served as parochial vicar in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly; St. Denis Parish, Manasquan; Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton (where he also acted as temporary administrator), and St. Dominic Parish, Brick.

Father Evans was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Beverly, (which is now part of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside) May 9, 1990, and then St. Dorothea Parish, April 23, 1999.

 Everywhere he went it seems he was known for his laugh and his sense of humor.

 "When you asked, 'How are you, Bill?' he would say, 'Good. Why? Do I look bad?'" Father Lukaszewski said, imitating Father Evans' boisterous voice, and many at the funeral laughed.

 "We all know Father Bill had an infectious laugh," Father Lukaszewski said. "It could be heard for miles and miles ... Father Bill truly lived as a good shepherd and his sheep knew him well. ... Thank you for the many times you made us laugh," he concluded. "Thank you for Father Bill for the gift of your love."

 Following his graduation from Moorestown High School, Father Evans served six years in the U.S. Army’s 114th Infantry, New Jersey National Guard in Burlington, from 1964-1970, serving  for six months in Fort Dix and additional time in the Army Reserves. A folded flag was placed on the altar in front of his casket in honor of his service to his country.

During his time in the Army Reserves, Father Evans was a reporter for the Camden Courier-Post newspaper for three years. One of the things he was known for saying to people was, 'Be sure to read the Courier-Post ... yeah!' Father Lukaszewski said in his homily, and once again the congregation knowingly laughed.

 After the funeral, Father Evans' casket was taken to be buried in Pennsylvania.

 Nancy King, Father Evans' sister, thanked Father Lukaszewski, Bishop O' Connell and everyone present for coming to the funeral and for the various stories they shared at her brother's viewing the day before.

"You welcomed our brother into your hearts. He loved being a priest... Last night was the healing for us all," she said.

Marylyn Lunger, also Father Evans' sister, told a story about her brother's laugh. She said someone once told him that the laugh drew too much attention to him. So he went to his room and prayed, asking God if he needed to stop laughing so loudly. When he came back out, he said, 'God told me I've been like this my entire life and I don't need to change.'

 "At 12 years old people knew him for his laugh," she added.

 "He always made me feel better about myself when I visited him," said Msgr. Vincent Gartland, pastor of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, after the funeral. "He was always positive no matter the difficulties he had to face."

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