My favorite attribute I will remember about my father is his willingness to help and serve others. He always gave of his time, energy and resources. You all might reflect on even more of his actions than I can because I left for California after college.
Growing up, he/we always stayed and helped clean up after church functions, we have folded and stored more chairs back under the stage than you can imagine.
When we were in mutual as young adults, he loved to attend our service projects as we went to senior’s homes to clean and rake leaves. He also chaperoned many scout camps and youth conferences!
He fed the hungry at food banks on Thanksgiving Day, he shoveled snow in the winter at peoples drive ways. He gave free dental service to the missionaries and low- income families. He sponsored two (2) foster children and took care of my mother’s parents in their home, till they passed.
My mother and my dad worked in the Bishops storehouse for several years and I cannot remember them more happier in those years as they were doing something together for once.
Service is a key component in the LDS church and all forms of religion and humanity. The Golden Rule right….Do unto others as you would have others do unto you….
There are thousands of inspirational quotes about service but Gordon B. Hinkley, who I actually had the privilege of meeting at the “Y” once, said it best.
Why did he seem to be more energized when he helped people?
• Social aspect= he loved to get to know people, being a dentist, he was the only one who could talk all those years so I guess he got good at that. Stephanie inherited this trait - He was a great home teacher although he probably spent too long at everyone’s houses
• Amazing work ethic = Loved to be busy and he hated to wait for us girls…perhaps growing up on the farm in Meridian Idaho, taught him to be this way,
• Humility = he never believed in status or ranking he believed in equality,
• He wanted to be on the side lines, never needed accolades or titles,
• He lived in the moment… he loved adventure and having fun
• He was sarcastic on the outside but had a big heart on the inside….
In closing, as time goes on for each of us, we realize our greatest legacy we can leave, is the lives we have impacted.
As family members of William Bruce Evans, lets honor our father by trying to emulate his best qualities.
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