Billings, OK - H.B. Evans was born September 6, 1922, at home in Osage Junction, Oklahoma — which he refers to as the "Osage" — to Joseph "Bailey" Evans and Constance (Preston) Evans.

Grade school: Struggleville; High school: Excelsior. As a HS junior he was state tennis champ. Post HS education: car mechanic school, then airplane mechanic school, volunteered in the Army/Airforce 1942-1945, trained as a crew engineer and tail gunner in B-24 "Liberator" bombers; stationed in England.

His plane was shot down over occupied France, and he had to parachute out. He was rescued by the French underground, was hidden in a small barn attic, then was smuggled back across the English Channel.

After the war, he married Maxine Bolding on May 26, 1946, which he regards as one of the best decisions he ever made. He then attended Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) on the GI bill, graduating in 3 years with a degree in Agricultural Education. He continues to be a loyal OSU fan and armchair coach. He began his career in Agricultural Education (FFA) in Perry, OK, from 1949-1954. From 1953-1954, he was involved in a partnership selling Studebaker vehicles and Ferguson tractors. The family moved to Billings, OK, in 1954 and H.B. became the Vo-Ag teacher as well as leader of the local FFA.

H.B. and Maxine had 3 children during this time: Brent, Craig and Ginger. They moved to Haven, KS, in 1959 where H.B. became a farm representative for banks in Haven, Sylvia, and South Hutchinson. In 1965, H.B. had the opportunity to buy the First State Bank in Billings. THE WHOLE FAMILY WAS EXCITED TO BE BACK IN BILLINGS, OK! He was the Banker from 1965-1986 and an independent insurance agent from 1965-1992. During his years as a banker, H.B. was committed to the success of the farmers/ranchers, local businesses, and entrepreneurs. If he could work a way to use the capital and influence of his bank to help people, then he did whatever he ethically could to help Billings and surrounding communities.

In retirement, he has been a successful farmer and cattle rancher, only giving this up when he had a pacemaker put in and his kids demanded he "give up his girls" (the cows). He is amazingly talented at many hobbies... a car mechanic, paint and body restorer, woodworking, and anything else he puts his mind and hands to doing. He loves the community of Billings, Ok! When he was finishing up school at Oklahoma A&M, he told his wife Maxine that he wanted to live and work in the Noble, Kay and Garfield County areas because they were the "best in Oklahoma"! Examples of his community service: In 1957, there was a flood of epic proportions. Dad and others at their own personal risk took off in outboard motorboat to rescue farmers and families from drowning!

*In the 1970s there was a risk the town would lose the local grain elevator. H.B. helped form a coalition to save the elevator and no one lost money. During this time the expertise and contacts of Henry Bellmon were instrumental in helping forestall bankruptcy judge from foreclosing. H.B. and Maxine were involved in helping get the Oklahoma Blood Institute started in Oklahoma with the assistance of Dr. Leland Steffen and Dr. Ron Gilcher. This is a service to the entire state of Oklahoma!

Forever, H.B. has supported Billings and the farming/ranching way of life. His kids say that growing up in the home and being around H.B. and Maxine Evans, it was clear they loved the people and community of Billings. Even though most of the businesses in Billings are gone, Maxine is gone and the kids are gone, H.B.'s love of the people in the Billings community and the quality of life has kept him here as a dedicated citizen. His kids would like to add that, above all, he has been a faithful husband, dad, granddad and even now, great-granddad. He is a man who professes Christ as savior and tries to live his daily life "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you". All of his family who have grown up with him in their lives love, respect and admire him. We pray we can one day be considered the kind of man or woman who bears the image of H.B. Evans.

He was preceded in death by his Wife Maxine of the home and by his grandson Chris Henson.

He is survived by his 3 children Brent Evans, Craig Evans and Ginger Henson and their spouses. He has 7 grandkids who are dearly loved and 17 great-grand-kids who think they are very special in their "moo pop's" eyes.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the Billings First Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the Billings Union Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home of Perry, OK.

Online guest registry is available at www.brown-duggerfuneralhome.com.