Father William Evans, CSC (1919-1971)
Missionary and Martyr
The following was written by Father Robert McKee, CSC.
In the cemetery at the side of St. Francis Xavier Church in Golla parish in the Diocese of Dhaka [Dacca] in Bangladesh there is a very well kept grave. The cement marker gives the name of Father William Evans, CSC, noting that he died on Nov. 13, 1971. He was just 52 years old then. He died at the village of Noabganj about five miles from his parish in Golla. His death occurred toward the end of the nine-month civil war between East and West Pakistan.
On Saturday, November 13th Father Bill boarded his boat with a friendly Golla man at the paddle. As they approached Noabganj, a soldier beckoned the boat to shore. A freedom fighter, secure in the jungle across the river, gave us his story of what followed. The soldier escorted Fr. Bill to the headquarters of the army post, near a school a short distance from the river. About twenty minutes later, two soldiers escorted Fr. Bill back to his boat. His luggage was examined – Mass equipment, a change of clothing, a few books. These items were thrown into the river. The solders ordered Fr. Bill and his boatman into a trench, dug by the army for security for post guards. Suddenly, the boatman broke into flight, running around a bend in the river bank. The soldiers firing but missing the boatman, quickly turned to Fr. Bill, striking him with their bayonets. A soldier fired twice at Fr. Bill, one bullet entering his back and exiting near his neck. The soldiers immediately threw Fr. Bill’s body into the river. The next morning, about four miles down the stream from Noabganj, a boy examining his fish traps discovered Fr. Bill’s body. The body was carried on a litter by a path a good distance from the army post of Noabganj, and by noon of November 15 Fr. Bill’s body was delivered to Archbishop Ganguly and the others at Golla. That afternoon Fr. Bill was buried in the presence of many Moslems, Hindus and Christians who knew and loved him.
Why do so many remember Fr. Bill Evans? [Because] he was fully at the service of other persons, sharing his concern, his personal interest and love. In every mission where he served his twenty-six years of priesthood, Christians, Moslems and Hindus will never forget the priest who was personally involved in their lives. He carried his nearness to God into his life as a preacher. He never missed an opportunity to preach. And he developed a real talent in bringing the Lord to life for his people by his words and his understanding of the life of his people.
Today, at Stonehill College, North Easton, MA, there is a house named EVANS HOUSE that stands as a memorial for Father William Evans, CSC.
Thank you so much….truly a loving guy
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Yes sister!!!
Recently I was telling my granddaughter the story of our wedding day. I brought out the old album and showed her the pictures and naming the people in the wedding party including Father Bill. Yes, Fr William Evans officiated at our (Edward and Winifred Regnier) wedding on August 10, 1968 in Bridgeport, CT. He was a long time friend of my mother’s family and was “back in the States” raising funds. Of course, this modern generation can instantly GOOGLE history and your fine article popped up.
You put forth the facts as I was told but may I add a personal remembrance of his calming manner of speaking and his always present smile. We had occasions through the years when we felt Fr. Bill was looking over us. He did a good job as our marriage lasted 51 years until my wife’s death. We still consider him to be our own private family Saint and say a prayer to him often. He is not forgotten.
This is so beautiful! You might be able to find more through the US province archives at the Hesburgh Library (Notre Dame). Fr. Al D’Alonso, in his retirement, wrote a biography of Bill Evans that was published locally and is probably in the archives.
Thank you. Please allow me to add to my wedding story,
The year was 1968 and I had just returned from Viet Nam and discharged from the U.S. Air Force. I visited my much loved grandparents with my fiance and we started to make plans for our wedding. One night I had a dream of the wedding where my brother (best man) and I were wearing our formal outfits but with black armbands on the sleeves. Soon after, my grandparents were out for a ride when my grandmother said “Oh look. There’s Chick Evans over there.” My grandfather told her that it couldn’t be because Chick died mysteriously years before in South America and his body was never recovered. Within days my grandmother died peacefully in her sleep. A few weeks later, Father Bill, now “back in the States” came by to pay his respects to the family. It was then that I asked and he agreed to perform our wedding.
Now make what you will of these random occurrences but it has always been my belief that Chick Evans was my grandmother’s guide into Heaven and “arranged” for his brother to be available for our wedding. Strange?
Thank you for your indulgence. Edward Regnier
Thanks so much Edward for this beautiful story – grace abounds! I found the Bill Evans piece in a pdf form, you can view it here: https://issuu.com/jeromedcosta/docs/the_story_of_father_william_evans__c.s.c._-__missi