William J. Bevans

William J. Bevans, 80, of 180 Woodbury Street, Manchester, died August 1, 2003 at Harborside Rehabilitation Center in Bedford. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 12, 1923, he was the son of Margaret(Melville) and William J. Bevans, Sr. He attended Thompson Academy, where he received a life-saving medal. He graduated from Somerville (Mass.) High School, Class of 1941. After World War II, he attended Curry College. He played the drums in the Yankee Division 21st National Guard as well as several Big Bands including Xavier Cougart and Sam Donahue. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a First Class Signalman on LST 246 in the Pacific. Bill Bevans retired after 38 years of working for Raytheon Company at various facilities including Waltham, MA, and Burlington (Spencer Labs), MA as Data Processing Manager. He also worked for Computer Control Company in Framingham, MA and Wellesley, MA. He returned to Raytheon to work at plants in Andover, MA and Bedford, MA in the Missile Systems Division. Later, he transferred to the Bristol, TN plant as the Manager of Communication and Information Systems. He was Chairman of many United Way Campaigns and was involved in running the Junior Achievement Program. He moved to Manchester in 1994 after the death of his wife of 50 years, Natalie (Cash) Bevans of Kennebunk, ME. He was a devoted family man, a loving husband and father. He was a Mason for over 50 years and a current member of the Washington Lodge of Manchester. He was a member of American Legion Henry J. Sweeney Post # 2. He enjoyed Big Band music, dancing and traveling. He especially enjoyed his yearly reunions with his shipmates of LST 246. He was extremely patriotic and found his visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial very moving. Recently, he cruised to Alaska and the Mediterranean. Family members include his wife, Katherine Papas Bevans; a daughter, Cheryl (Bevans) Remash of Manchester, her husband Richard and their sons Alek and Evan; a son, The Reverend Bruce S. Bevans of Richmond, VA, his wife The Reverend Marjorie Bevans, his children John, Billy, Mary; a week old great granddaughter, Audrey; a stepson, Homer Papas of Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. His son, The Reverend Bruce S. Bevans, will conduct a private memorial service for the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to American Legion Henry J. Sweeney Post # 2, 251 Maple Street, Manchester, NH 03103. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of arrangements. To view an on-line memorial, sign the guestbook or for more information, go to www.csnh.com.