H0145
The study's number for this person. Cite it and it will always lead here, whatever the spelling.William D. Evans
Born at North Dakota in 1910 and died at Aberdeen in 1972.
born 12 Jan 1910 at North Dakota, United States died 31 Oct 1972 at Aberdeen, Grays Harbor
Life story
William D. Evans was born on 12 January 1910 in North Dakota, a son of Leonard Evans and Matilda Mattson.1 How and when he came to western Washington has not yet been traced. His death certificate gives his life's work as driving a truck in the logging industry, the trade that kept Grays Harbor's mills supplied with timber.1
He was probably the William Evans who married seventeen-year-old Ruth Lefaive at Montesano, the Grays Harbor county seat, on 25 September 1936. Ruth was still Mrs. Evans in 1961, but the marriage had ended by September 1964, when she married Woodrow E. Wilson (see Research Notes).2–4
On the evening of 19 January 1965, William, then living at Hoquiam, married Mary Ann (Worek) Wilson of Aberdeen before a justice of the peace at Cosmopolis. Mary Ann had been the wife of Woodrow E. Wilson, and she came to the marriage with four children (living).5–6 The couple made their home at 812¼ Stewart Street in Aberdeen.1
William died on the morning of 31 October 1972 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, of coronary heart disease, at the age of sixty-two. Mary gave the particulars for his death certificate. Three days later, on 3 November, he was buried in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen; the Elerding Mortuary had charge of the funeral.1, 7
What we know
Proven
- Birth at North Dakota, 1910
- Marriage to Ruth Eileen Lefaive at Montesano, 1936
- Marriage to Mary Ann Worek at Cosmopolis, 1965
- Occupation, 1972
- Death at Aberdeen, 1972
- Burial at Fern Hill Cemetery, 1972
- 2 homes, from the census and other records
What's still open
- Two couples. Ruth E. Evans married Woodrow E.
- Parents. Not yet identified.
Sources
Source 1
1 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, 1972
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Certificate of Death, state file no. 22418 (1972), local file no. 422, William D. Evans: died 31 October 1972 at about 10:40 a.m., Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County; residence 812¼ Stewart St., Aberdeen; male; white; married; surviving spouse Mary Worek [her maiden name]; born January 12, 1910, North Dakota; age 62 [partly illegible]; usual occupation truck driver, logging; father Loenard [Leonard] Evans; mother's maiden name Matilda Mattson; informant Mary Evans, 812¼ Stewart St., Aberdeen; cause myocardial ischemia (hours), due to diffuse myocardial fibrosis (years), due to occlusive coronary atherosclerosis (years); autopsy performed; certified by Arthur A. Campbell, M.D., Aberdeen, 6 November 1972; burial 3 November 1972, Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen; funeral home Elerding Mort. Inc., Aberdeen; received 6 November 1972; "Department of Health, Death Certificates, July 1, 1907–2001," image, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/D85A4A20D2D2009B9CEE38C384B4B486), accessed 27 September 2026.
Sources 2–4
2 Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936
"Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com, citing Washington State Archives, Grays Harbor County marriage records, reference swgrhmc11373: William Evans and Ruth Le Faire [Lefaive], married 25 September 1936, Montesano, Grays Harbor County (as attached to both of them in the old Hegnauer family tree on Ancestry; the index entry and the record have not been re-read in this study).
3 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1919
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007," database, Ancestry.com, Ruth Eileen Evans [also Ruth Eil Wilson; Ruth Windsnes; Ruth Eileen Lefaive], female, white, born 23 March 1919, Portland, Oregon; died 23 September 2005; father George I Lefaive; mother Edith G Brisco; name listed as Ruth Eileen Evans in November 1961, Ruth Eil Wilson in September 1964 and Ruth E Windsnes in August 1967.
4 Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, 1871
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, "Grays Harbor County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1871–Present," Woodrow E Wilson and R. E. Evans, married 24 September 1964, Grays Harbor County, Washington, document swgrhmc28102 (index entry; no image) (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/3E62748F453D48F4704C3B20A3728E6A). Also indexed in "Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com, as Woodrow E Wilson and Ruth E Evans, 24 September 1964, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County.
Sources 5–6
5 Grays Harbor County, Washington, 1965
Grays Harbor County, Washington, Marriage Certificate no. 28288: under a licence dated 18 January 1965 from the Grays Harbor County auditor, a justice of the peace joined in marriage at Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County, on 19 January 1965 at 9:15 p.m., William D. Evans, of Hoquiam, and Mary Ann Wilson, of Aberdeen; signed "William D Evans" and "Mary Ann Wilson" and by two witnesses; filed 21 January 1965; image, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, "Grays Harbor County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1871–Present," document swgrhmc28288 (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/FAF513D36DF3A8D91D5EA5822E36DDF0). Also indexed in "Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com (the groom's surname indexed as "Eraus").
6 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1918
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007," database, Ancestry.com, Mary Anna Worek, female, white, born 13 March 1918, Joliet, Will, Illinois; father Martin Worek; name listed as Mary Anna Worek in November 1936, Mary Worek Chrisman in February 1940, Mary Wilson in January 1950, Mary Ann Wilson in April 1963, Mary Ann Evans in February 1966 and Mary Ann Farnsworth on 4 April 1983.
Source 7
7 Washington, U.S., Death Records, 1972
"Washington, U.S., Death Records, 1907–2017," database, Ancestry.com, William D Evans, male, residence Aberdeen, Washington; died 31 October 1972, Aberdeen, Washington; certificate 022418 (index only; no age, spouse or parents).
More sources are in the evidence below.
Life in time
12 Jan 1910
Birth , North Dakota, United States
How we know
Born in North Dakota to Leonard Evans and Matilda Mattson, according to his death certificate, for which his wife was the informant. No birth record has been found.
His Washington death certificate (read on the image) gives 12 Jan 1910 in North Dakota; the informant was his wife, Mary Evans. The age on the certificate (62, partly illegible) fits. FamilySearch's "1916" (GGGV-7C3) has no source that gives it and is contradicted by the certificate.
25 Sep 1936
Marriage, with Ruth Eileen Lefaive , Montesano, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
Grays Harbor County marriage record, Washington State Archives reference swgrhmc11373, of William Evans and Ruth Lefaive (indexed as "Ruth Le Faire"), as attached in the old family tree; the record itself has not been read in this study, and the groom's identity with William D. Evans is probable, not proven. Ruth was seventeen. The marriage had ended by September 1964, when she married Woodrow E. Wilson as Ruth E. Evans; how it ended has not been found.
The old family tree attaches the Grays Harbor County marriage record (index; document swgrhmc11373) to a marriage of William Evans and Ruth Lefaive at Montesano on 25 Sep 1936; its document number falls where a marriage of September 1936 should. Ruth's Social Security record shows her as Ruth Eileen Evans in November 1961, and she married Woodrow E. Wilson at Aberdeen in 1964 as Ruth E. Evans. William D. Evans lived in Grays Harbor County (at Hoquiam in 1965), and the old tree links him to Ruth as her husband. No record read so far states that the William Evans of 1936 is William D., so the link is probable; the record, which should give the groom's age and birthplace, is the test.
19 Jan 1965
Residence , Hoquiam, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
"William D Evans, of Hoquiam", at his marriage at Cosmopolis.
The residence given for the groom on the Grays Harbor County marriage certificate of 1965 (image read).
19 Jan 1965
Marriage, with Mary Ann Worek , Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
Before a justice of the peace, at 9:15 p.m., under a licence of 18 Jan 1965 from the Grays Harbor County auditor (marriage certificate no. 28288). William D. Evans was of Hoquiam, and the bride, Mary Ann Wilson, of Aberdeen. The marriage lasted until his death in 1972; she was the informant for his death certificate.
The Grays Harbor County marriage certificate (image read) gives William D. Evans of Hoquiam and Mary Ann Wilson of Aberdeen, both of whom signed; her Social Security record lists her as Mary Ann Evans from February 1966. His death certificate of 1972 names his surviving spouse as "Mary Worek" (her maiden name) and the informant as Mary Evans, of his address, so the marriage was unbroken at his death.
31 Oct 1972
Residence , Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
812¼ Stewart Street, Aberdeen, his home with his wife Mary.
The residence on his death certificate, which is also the informant's (his wife's) address.
before 31 Oct 1972
Occupation
How we know
Truck driver, logging (usual occupation on his death certificate).
The usual-occupation boxes of his death certificate, which ask for the work done during most of his working life. Where and for whom he drove has not been found.
31 Oct 1972
Death , Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
At Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, at about 10:40 a.m.; aged 62. Cause: myocardial ischemia (hours), due to diffuse myocardial fibrosis, due to occlusive coronary atherosclerosis (years); autopsy performed. Washington death certificate, state file 22418 (1972).
His Washington death certificate (read on the image) gives the date, the hospital and the cause, with his birth date and parents and his wife as informant. Ancestry's Washington death index agrees on the date and place (certificate 022418).
3 Nov 1972
Burial , Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States
How we know
Elerding Mortuary, Aberdeen.
The disposition section of his death certificate. His plot has not been found.
-
1910 Birth
Born in North Dakota to Leonard Evans and Matilda Mattson, according to his death certificate, for which his wife was the informant. No birth record has been found.
His Washington death certificate (read on the image) gives 12 Jan 1910 in North Dakota; the informant was his wife, Mary Evans. The age on the certificate (62, partly illegible) fits. FamilySearch's "1916" (GGGV-7C3) has no source that gives it and is contradicted by the certificate.
Source 1
-
1936 Marriage, with Ruth Eileen Lefaive
Grays Harbor County marriage record, Washington State Archives reference swgrhmc11373, of William Evans and Ruth Lefaive (indexed as "Ruth Le Faire"), as attached in the old family tree; the record itself has not been read in this study, and the groom's identity with William D. Evans is probable, not proven. Ruth was seventeen. The marriage had ended by September 1964, when she married Woodrow E. Wilson as Ruth E. Evans; how it ended has not been found.
The old family tree attaches the Grays Harbor County marriage record (index; document swgrhmc11373) to a marriage of William Evans and Ruth Lefaive at Montesano on 25 Sep 1936; its document number falls where a marriage of September 1936 should. Ruth's Social Security record shows her as Ruth Eileen Evans in November 1961, and she married Woodrow E. Wilson at Aberdeen in 1964 as Ruth E. Evans. William D. Evans lived in Grays Harbor County (at Hoquiam in 1965), and the old tree links him to Ruth as her husband. No record read so far states that the William Evans of 1936 is William D., so the link is probable; the record, which should give the groom's age and birthplace, is the test.
-
1965 Residence
"William D Evans, of Hoquiam", at his marriage at Cosmopolis.
The residence given for the groom on the Grays Harbor County marriage certificate of 1965 (image read).
Source 5
-
1965 Marriage, with Mary Ann Worek
Before a justice of the peace, at 9:15 p.m., under a licence of 18 Jan 1965 from the Grays Harbor County auditor (marriage certificate no. 28288). William D. Evans was of Hoquiam, and the bride, Mary Ann Wilson, of Aberdeen. The marriage lasted until his death in 1972; she was the informant for his death certificate.
The Grays Harbor County marriage certificate (image read) gives William D. Evans of Hoquiam and Mary Ann Wilson of Aberdeen, both of whom signed; her Social Security record lists her as Mary Ann Evans from February 1966. His death certificate of 1972 names his surviving spouse as "Mary Worek" (her maiden name) and the informant as Mary Evans, of his address, so the marriage was unbroken at his death.
-
1972 Residence
812¼ Stewart Street, Aberdeen, his home with his wife Mary.
The residence on his death certificate, which is also the informant's (his wife's) address.
Source 1
-
1972 Occupation
Truck driver, logging (usual occupation on his death certificate).
The usual-occupation boxes of his death certificate, which ask for the work done during most of his working life. Where and for whom he drove has not been found.
Source 1
-
1972 Death
At Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, at about 10:40 a.m.; aged 62. Cause: myocardial ischemia (hours), due to diffuse myocardial fibrosis, due to occlusive coronary atherosclerosis (years); autopsy performed. Washington death certificate, state file 22418 (1972).
His Washington death certificate (read on the image) gives the date, the hospital and the cause, with his birth date and parents and his wife as informant. Ancestry's Washington death index agrees on the date and place (certificate 022418).
-
1972 Burial
Elerding Mortuary, Aberdeen.
The disposition section of his death certificate. His plot has not been found.
Source 1
- proven
Hover or drag along the line, or select a point and use the arrow keys.
Places in this life
6 places, in order- 1 North Dakota, United States Birth 12 Jan 1910
- 2 Montesano, Grays Harbor County Marriage 25 Sep 1936
- 3 Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County Residence 19 Jan 1965
- 4 Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County Marriage 19 Jan 1965
- 5 Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County Residence 31 Oct 1972 · Death 31 Oct 1972
- 6 Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen Burial 3 Nov 1972
Hollow markers are placed approximately, at the town, county or region.
Family
The evidence 8 facts with their grades, 7 sources, and the research notes
Facts
| Fact | Date | Place | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 12 Jan 1910 | North Dakota, United States | proven | 1 |
| Marriage with Ruth Eileen Lefaive | 25 Sep 1936 | Montesano, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 2 , 3 , 4 |
| Residence | 19 Jan 1965 | Hoquiam, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 5 |
| Marriage with Mary Ann Worek | 19 Jan 1965 | Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 1 , 5 , 6 |
| Residence | 31 Oct 1972 | Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 1 |
| Occupation | before 31 Oct 1972 | proven | 1 | |
| Death | 31 Oct 1972 | Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 1 , 7 |
| Burial | 3 Nov 1972 | Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States | proven | 1 |
Research notes
- Identity: The Grays Harbor County marriage certificate of 1965 gives William D. Evans of Hoquiam and Mary Ann Wilson of Aberdeen.5 His death certificate of 1972 names his surviving spouse as "Mary Worek", the maiden name of Mary Ann Worek, and the informant as Mary Evans of his own address, 812¼ Stewart Street, Aberdeen; Mary Ann's Social Security record lists her as Mary Ann Evans from 1966, and she was Mary A. Evans when she married again in 1977 (see her profile).1, 6 He is therefore her third husband, the "Evans" of her marriages.
- Birth: 12 Jan 1910, North Dakota, from the death certificate (informant his wife).1 The old family tree had the same date without a source; FamilySearch (GGGV-7C3) gives 1916, which nothing supports. His birth record and the census of 1910–1930 in North Dakota have not been searched; his parents' names, Leonard Evans and Matilda Mattson, are the key.
- First marriage (probable): The old family tree attaches a Grays Harbor County marriage record (Washington State Archives reference swgrhmc11373) to the marriage of William Evans and Ruth Lefaive at Montesano on 25 Sep 1936.2 It has not been re-read in this study, and it gives the groom as William Evans, without an initial. Pointing to William D.: the county, the name, Ruth's surname Evans in 1961 and 1964, and his own residence at Hoquiam in 1965, where Ruth was later buried.3, 4, 5 The link is recorded as probable. The Digital Archives image of swgrhmc11373 (free) should give the groom's age and residence: an age of 26 would confirm it.
- Two couples: Ruth E. Evans married Woodrow E. Wilson on 24 Sep 1964, and four months later William D. Evans married Woodrow's former wife Mary Ann.4, 5 If William was Ruth's former husband, as seems likely, the two couples exchanged partners. How the Evans–Lefaive marriage ended (divorce, before 1964) has not been found; Washington's state divorce index begins in 1968.
- Death: The certificate gives 31 Oct 1972 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, with an autopsy; the Washington death index agrees.1, 7 Until the certificate was read (27 Sep 2026), the study treated him as possibly living.
- Sources: His death certificate and the 1965 marriage certificate have been read on the images (Washington State Digital Archives). The 1936 marriage is known only from the index as attached in the old family tree. His Find a Grave memorial, if any, and an obituary in the Aberdeen Daily World (early November 1972) have not been searched.
Working notes
- Old tree 165462681: William D. Evans b. 12 Jan 1910 (unsourced), d. 31 Oct 1972 Aberdeen (WA death index 6716/263202, identity to confirm); also married Ruth (Lefaive) Evans (H0179) 25 Sep 1936 Montesano
- DECEASED: WA death cert 22418 (1972) read: surviving spouse Mary Worek; parents Leonard Evans and Matilda Mattson; truck driver, logging; bur. Fern Hill 3 Nov 1972
Sources
- 1
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Certificate of Death, state file no. 22418 (1972), local file no. 422, William D. Evans: died 31 October 1972 at about 10:40 a.m., Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County; residence 812¼ Stewart St., Aberdeen; male; white; married; surviving spouse Mary Worek [her maiden name]; born January 12, 1910, North Dakota; age 62 [partly illegible]; usual occupation truck driver, logging; father Loenard [Leonard] Evans; mother's maiden name Matilda Mattson; informant Mary Evans, 812¼ Stewart St., Aberdeen; cause myocardial ischemia (hours), due to diffuse myocardial fibrosis (years), due to occlusive coronary atherosclerosis (years); autopsy performed; certified by Arthur A. Campbell, M.D., Aberdeen, 6 November 1972; burial 3 November 1972, Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen; funeral home Elerding Mort. Inc., Aberdeen; received 6 November 1972; "Department of Health, Death Certificates, July 1, 1907–2001," image, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/D85A4A20D2D2009B9CEE38C384B4B486), accessed 27 September 2026.
- 2
"Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com, citing Washington State Archives, Grays Harbor County marriage records, reference swgrhmc11373: William Evans and Ruth Le Faire [Lefaive], married 25 September 1936, Montesano, Grays Harbor County (as attached to both of them in the old Hegnauer family tree on Ancestry; the index entry and the record have not been re-read in this study).
- 3
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007," database, Ancestry.com, Ruth Eileen Evans [also Ruth Eil Wilson; Ruth Windsnes; Ruth Eileen Lefaive], female, white, born 23 March 1919, Portland, Oregon; died 23 September 2005; father George I Lefaive; mother Edith G Brisco; name listed as Ruth Eileen Evans in November 1961, Ruth Eil Wilson in September 1964 and Ruth E Windsnes in August 1967.
- 4
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, "Grays Harbor County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1871–Present," Woodrow E Wilson and R. E. Evans, married 24 September 1964, Grays Harbor County, Washington, document swgrhmc28102 (index entry; no image) (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/3E62748F453D48F4704C3B20A3728E6A). Also indexed in "Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com, as Woodrow E Wilson and Ruth E Evans, 24 September 1964, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County.
- 5
Grays Harbor County, Washington, Marriage Certificate no. 28288: under a licence dated 18 January 1965 from the Grays Harbor County auditor, a justice of the peace joined in marriage at Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County, on 19 January 1965 at 9:15 p.m., William D. Evans, of Hoquiam, and Mary Ann Wilson, of Aberdeen; signed "William D Evans" and "Mary Ann Wilson" and by two witnesses; filed 21 January 1965; image, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, "Grays Harbor County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1871–Present," document swgrhmc28288 (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/FAF513D36DF3A8D91D5EA5822E36DDF0). Also indexed in "Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database, Ancestry.com (the groom's surname indexed as "Eraus").
- 6
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007," database, Ancestry.com, Mary Anna Worek, female, white, born 13 March 1918, Joliet, Will, Illinois; father Martin Worek; name listed as Mary Anna Worek in November 1936, Mary Worek Chrisman in February 1940, Mary Wilson in January 1950, Mary Ann Wilson in April 1963, Mary Ann Evans in February 1966 and Mary Ann Farnsworth on 4 April 1983.
- 7
"Washington, U.S., Death Records, 1907–2017," database, Ancestry.com, William D Evans, male, residence Aberdeen, Washington; died 31 October 1972, Aberdeen, Washington; certificate 022418 (index only; no age, spouse or parents).