Evelyn Willson

Evelyn Willson was born on March 25, 1915, to John and Mina Stavney in Portland, Oregon. She was a "PK"(Preacher's kid), the youngest of six children in a busy Lutheran parsonage with three brothers and two sisters, Waldemar(Walt), Valborg(Val), Luthard(Lute), Gerhard(Gay), and Dagna(Doug). The Stavney family moved to Ballard in Seattle, Washington. They were a happy family unit that was very active in the community. Evelyn was a talented tennis and softball player and loved to swim in the Puget Sound. She graduated from Ballard High School in 1932 and Seattle Pacific College in 1936. She worked at the Tea Room at the downtown Fredrick & Nelson while in college. She became a classroom and physical education teacher for the Rochester School District in Southwest Washington.She met Woodrow(Woody) Willson across the chemistry table while in college. They were married by her father, Reverend John A. Stavney on June 29th, 1940 in Seattle. The young couple moved to Bremerton where Woody worked as a nuclear chemist in the Puget Sounda Naval Shipyard for over 39 years. Evelyn was a busy mother raising three sons and one daughter. Each of her childlren sought both their father and mother's advice and counseling until their passing. John(&Kathy),a retired school principal and adminstrator, lives on Whidbey Island. Jerry (& Sunny), a retired assistant superintendant and school principal, lives in Port Orchard. They have two grown children and one grandchild. Ron (& Shari) lives in Port Orchard and has two grown children. Ron has worked for the Naval Exchange for 33 years. Karen (& Bill), a math instructor at Olympic College also lives in Port Orchard. Both of their children are attending college.Though busy, Evelyn's life was one of service to others, planting spiritual seeds in the lives of children. She was an active leader in Sunday school, Christian Youth Crusaders, vacation bible school, children's classes at Burlington and Warm Beach family camps, young married couples classes, Child Evangelism, Christian Women's Club, as well as her own children's activities. She did all this while first being a faithful prayer warrior for her children, family, friends and others. She had a wonderful sense of humor, appreciation for flowers, enjoyed sitting on the deck and feeding the ducks and seagulls down at her beach. She had a gift for entertaining others with her meat and potato meals, which included a signature"chocolate cake." She also enjoyed taking long car rides and going out to eat. Evelyn's "enjoyment" of life all took place beside her best friend and life long companion, Woody. After retirement, they traveled to South Korea in 1979 as part of President Jimmy Carter's Friendship Force. During their visit the Premier was assassinated and the government was overthrown. While this was a trip of a lifetime for them, they never traveled out of the United States again.In 1994, Evelyn & Woody moved from their waterfront home on Phinney Bay in Bremerton to a new home on Yukon Harbor in South Kitsap where they spent their remaining years loving each other, their children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Woody,(who passed away in February 2001) and Evelyn were married for 61 years. Evelyn died on December 26, 2001. She was 86 years old.In the last few years of her life, and despite the anxiety, confusion and pain of Alzheimer's disease, Evelyn retained her perfect Christian spirit. She was humble, gentle, sweet and always caring. She continued to have a kind and welcoming smile for those around her. Until her last day, Evellyn was her life's work-she was a servant.