William Frederick “Ricky” Evans died Aug. 24, 2016, at UAB Hospital from kidney and heart failure. He was born to his parents, Owen Beverly and Patricia Claire Evans on Nov. 17, 1944 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The family lived briefly in Fairfield, Alabama while his father completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. When Ricky was eight years old the family settled in Decatur, Alabama.
Ricky attended Somerville Road and Walter Jackson Elementary Schools, along with Decatur Junior High and High School. He was very active in a number of extra curricular activities, played football for the Decatur Red Raiders and was president of his senior class in 1962-63.
He started college at Birmingham Southern, but transferred to Auburn University where he graduated in 1967. After several years as a social worker in Decatur, he entered graduate school at University of Tennessee College of Social Work in Nashville where he earned a Masters degree.
While studying in Nashville, Ricky met his future wife, Dorothy “Dot” Brindley. They were married in 1971. Ricky and Dot returned to Alabama and lived in Falkville for several years. He later became the Director of Social Services for Cullman County and Dot became Director of Social Services at Decatur General Hospital. They moved and lived in Cullman for the remainder of their life. Dot passed away in 2012 following a lengthy fight with ovarian cancer.
Ricky had many interests. He enjoyed sports, gardening, fishing, cooking, and was a talented artist. He did considerable research on the ancestry of the Evans family. He loved all animals and is even survived by his much beloved dog “Jim Bob”.
Ricky is survived by his only child, Rebecca Gwen Cowling, who is married to Kevin Cowling. They have one child, son Kieran, Ricky’s only grandchild, and live in Rome, Georgia.
Other survivors include Bev Evans Jr (Lynn), of Jackson, Mississippi, Nick Evans (Dare) and Bobby Evans, both of Cullman, Alabama, Kim Evans, of Auburn, Alabama, and many family and friends who love him.
Visitation will be at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman, Alabama at 2 p.m., Saturday Aug. 27th. Services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
